Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the 2020 Form 10-K. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts in tables are in millions. Neither Realogy Holdings, the indirect parent of Realogy Group, nor Realogy Intermediate, the direct parent company of Realogy Group, conducts any operations other than with respect to its respective direct or indirect ownership of Realogy Group. As a result, the condensed consolidated financial positions, results of operations and cash flows of Realogy Holdings, Realogy Intermediate and Realogy Group are the same. This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, contains forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements" in this Quarterly Report as well as our 2020 Form 10-K for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
We are a global provider of real estate services and report our operations in the following three business segments:
•Realogy Franchise Group—franchises the Century 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker Commercial®, Corcoran®, ERA®, Sotheby's International Realty® and Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate brand names. As of March 31, 2021, our real estate franchise systems and proprietary brands had approximately 327,500 independent sales agents worldwide, including approximately 191,700 independent sales agents operating in the U.S. (which included approximately 53,700 company owned brokerage independent sales agents). As of March 31, 2021, our real estate franchise systems and proprietary brands had approximately 20,400 offices worldwide in 118 countries and territories, including approximately 5,700 brokerage offices in the U.S. (which included approximately 670 company owned brokerage offices). This segment also includes our lead generation activities and global relocation services operation.
•Realogy Brokerage Group—operates a full-service real estate brokerage business with approximately 670 owned and operated brokerage offices with approximately 53,700 independent sales agents principally under the Coldwell Banker®, Corcoran® and Sotheby’s International Realty® brand names in many of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.
•Realogy Title Group—provides full-service title, escrow and settlement services to consumers, real estate companies, corporations and financial institutions with many of these services provided in connection with the Company's real estate brokerage and relocation services businesses. Our title insurance underwriter, Title Resources Guaranty Company, provides title underwriting services relating to the closing of home purchases and refinancing of home loans, working with affiliated and independent agents. This segment also includes the Company's share of equity earnings for our Guaranteed Rate Affinity mortgage origination joint venture.
Our technology and data group pursues technology-enabled solutions to support our business segments and franchisees as well as independent sales agents affiliated with Realogy Brokerage and Franchise Groups and their customers.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Capital Structure
In January and February 2021, Realogy Group entered into refinancing transactions, including the issuance in the aggregate of $900 million of 5.75% Senior Notes due 2029 (with gross proceeds of $905 million used to pay down $250 million of the Term Loan A Facility and $655 million of the Term Loan B Facility) and the amendment of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Term Loan A Agreement (the "2021 Amendments"). Among other things, the 2021 Amendments provide for the extension of the maturity of a portion of the remaining balance of the Term Loan A Facility from 2023 to 2025 and the extension of the maturity of a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility from 2023 to 2025, in each case subject to certain earlier springing maturity dates.
On April 28, 2021, the Company used cash on hand to pay down $150 million of the Term Loan B Facility, reducing the principal amount of that Facility to $240 million.
See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below, as well as Note 4, "Short and Long-Term Debt", to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
CURRENT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TRENDS
The first quarter of 2021 demonstrated continued strength in the residential real estate market, which has improved markedly from a sharp decline in homesale transactions, primarily in the second quarter of 2020, due to factors related to the COVID-19 crisis. According to the National Association of Realtors ("NAR"), as of its most recent publication, for March 2021, the seasonally-adjusted annual rate of total existing homesale transactions was 6.0 million, a 7% increase from actual homesale transactions of 5.6 million in 2020 and a 10% improvement over the three-year average (2018-2020) of actual homesale transactions of 5.4 million.
According to NAR, during the first quarter of 2021, homesale transaction volume increased 28% over the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to a 14% increase in homesale transactions and a 12% increase in average homesale price.
Homesale transaction volume on a combined basis for Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups increased 44% during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020. Homesale transaction volume at Realogy Franchise Group increased 47% during such period, primarily as a result of a 22% increase in average homesale price and a 20% increase in existing homesale transactions. Homesale transaction volume at Realogy Brokerage Group increased 37% during such period, primarily as a result of a 20% increase in existing homesale transactions and a 14% increase in average homesale price.
We believe that the strong recovery to date, including increased demand, has been driven by certain beneficial consumer trends such as home buyer preferences for certain geographies (including attractive tax and weather destinations) and demand in the high-end market, supported by an increase in the prevalence of remote work arrangements, home buying trends among millennials, a favorable mortgage rate environment and low inventory contributing to higher average homesale price.
Overall, our company owned and franchise operations have benefited since the second half of 2020 from geographic and high-end transaction mix. We believe that the increase in homesale transaction volume at Realogy Franchise Group as compared to the broader market has been primarily driven since the second half of 2020 by strong performance in the high-end of the market. In addition to the foregoing factor, we believe lower homesale transaction volume for our company owned brokerages compared to franchised brokerages has been largely attributable to the geographic footprint of our company-owned brokerages, in particular in New York City, which while gaining strength in the first quarter of 2021, continued to lag the general residential real estate market.
We expect that quarterly comparisons to 2020 periods will be volatile throughout the remainder of 2021 due to the significant disruptions to the typical seasonality patterns of the residential real estate market caused by the COVID-19 crisis during 2020. For example, as shown in the tables below, NAR forecasts in its most recent press release that homesale transaction volume will increase 57% in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2020 – the quarter in which the COVID-19 crisis had the most negative impact on the industry (with 2020 second quarter homesale transaction volume down 16% from 2019). The same 2021 NAR forecast, when compared to the second quarter of 2019, still shows strong improvement – with 35% growth forecasted in the second quarter of 2021.
NAR Forecasted Homesale Transaction Volume
_______________
(a)Q1 existing homesale data is as of the most recent NAR press release, which is subject to sampling error.
(b)Forecasted existing homesale data, on a seasonally adjusted basis, is as of the most recent NAR forecast.
There remain significant uncertainties regarding whether the beneficial consumer trends discussed above will be maintained at the same strength or at all, and whether such trends will continue to have a positive effect on our financial results as well as significant uncertainties related to the COVID-19 crisis, including the severity, duration and extent of the pandemic (and the impact of vaccines and virus mutations).
Existing Homesales
For the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, NAR existing homesale transactions increased to 1.2 million homes or up 14%. For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, homesale transactions on a combined basis for Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups increased 20% compared to the same period in 2020 due primarily to continued strength in the residential real estate market, which we attribute to certain beneficial consumer trends supported by other factors, including a favorable mortgage rate environment and low inventory contributing to higher average homesale price, partially offset by the impact of competition and the geographic concentration of Realogy Brokerage Group. The quarterly and annual year-over-year trends in homesale transactions are as follows:
_______________
(a)Q1 existing homesale data is as of the most recent NAR press release, which is subject to sampling error.
(b)Forecasted existing homesale data, on a seasonally adjusted basis, is as of the most recent NAR forecast.
(c)Forecasted existing homesale data, on a seasonally adjusted basis, is as of the most recent Fannie Mae press release.
As of their most recent releases, NAR is forecasting existing homesale transactions to remain flat in 2022 while Fannie Mae is forecasting existing homesale transactions to decrease 6% for the same period.
Existing Homesale Price
For the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, NAR existing homesale average price increased 12%. For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, average homesale price on a combined basis for Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups increased 19% compared to the same period in 2020 which consisted of a 22% increase in average homesale price for Realogy Franchise Group and a 14% increase in average homesale price for Realogy Brokerage Group. We believe that the delta between Realogy Brokerage Group and Realogy Franchise Group in the first quarter of 2021 was primarily driven by particularly strong performance by Realogy Franchise Group in the high-end market as well as Realogy Brokerage Group's geographic footprint, in particular in New York City. We believe that the delta between Realogy Franchise Group and NAR in the first quarter of 2021 was primarily driven by particularly strong performance by Realogy Franchise Group in the high-end of the market. The quarterly and annual year-over-year trends in the price of homes are as follows:
_______________
(a)Q1 homesale price data is for existing homesale average price and is as of the most recent NAR press release.
(b)Forecasted homesale price data is for median price and is as of the most recent NAR forecast.
(c)Existing homesale price data is for median price and is as of the most recent Fannie Mae press release.
As of their most recent releases, NAR is forecasting median existing homesale price to increase 3% in 2022 while Fannie Mae is forecasting median existing homesale price to increase 4% for the same period.
2020 Temporary Cost-Saving Initiatives. Quarterly earnings comparisons will also be challenged by the absence in the second and third quarters of 2021 of the temporary cost-saving measures we took in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Those temporary measures resulted in approximately $150 million of aggregate savings in the second and third quarter of 2020, with approximately two-thirds of such amount recognized in the second quarter of 2020. Substantially all of these measures were reversed during the third quarter of 2020 and we do not expect to realize comparable cost-savings from these prior temporary initiatives in future periods, the absence of which is expected to have a negative impact on period-over-period comparisons of our expenses.
Inventory. Continued or accelerated declines in inventory, whether attributable to the COVID-19 crisis or otherwise, may result in insufficient supply to meet any increased demand driven by the lower interest rate environment and beneficial consumer trends. Additional inventory pressure arises from periods of slow or decelerated new housing construction. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, low housing inventory levels had been an industry-wide concern, in particular in certain highly sought-after geographies and at lower price points. According to NAR, the inventory of existing homes for sale in the U.S. decreased approximately 28% from 1.5 million as of March 2020 to 1.1 million as of March 2021. As a result, inventory has decreased from 3.3 months of supply in March 2020 to 2.1 months as of March 2021. These levels continue to be significantly below the 10-year average of 4.8 months, the 15-year average of 6.0 months and the 25-year average of 5.6 months.
While insufficient inventory levels generally have a negative impact on homesale transaction growth, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups saw a 20% increase in homesale transactions on a combined basis compared to the same period in 2020. We believe that an intensified pace of inventory supply turnover beginning in the second half of 2020 has contributed to the reported low levels of inventory, without a correlating decrease in homesale transactions. For example, at our company owned Coldwell Banker brokerages, the speed at which a home that was listed for sale went under contract reduced to a median of 15 days on the market in the first quarter of 2021 from a median of 31 days on the market in the first quarter of 2020. There is significant uncertainty as to whether this recent pattern of low inventory, but increased homesale transactions driven by supply turnover will continue as constraints in home inventory levels have typically had and may continue to have an adverse impact on the number of homesale transactions closed by Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups. In addition, in periods of rapid inventory turnover there is an increased risk that new homesale unit listings will not keep pace with demand, which could also negatively impact homesale transaction volume.
Unemployment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate declined to 6.0% in March 2021, down considerably from a high of 14.8% reached in April 2020, but still 2.5% higher compared to its pre-pandemic level in February 2020. If the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employment levels and economic activity for a substantial period, or if jobs recovery slows or worsens, it could lead to an increase in loan defaults and foreclosure activity and may make it more difficult for potential home buyers to arrange financing.
Mortgage Rates. We have been in an unusually prolonged period of historic low interest rates. A wide variety of factors can contribute to mortgage rates, including Treasury note yields, federal interest rates, inflation, demand, consumer income, unemployment levels and foreclosure rates. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note hit all-time lows during the COVID-19 crisis, but as of March 31, 2021 were 1.74% as compared to 0.70% as of March 31, 2020. According to Freddie Mac, mortgage rates on commitments for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate first mortgage lowered to an average of 2.88% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 3.51% for the first quarter of 2020. Although mortgage rates began to increase during the first quarter of 2021 from the lows seen in 2020, they continue to be at low levels compared to the 10-year average of 3.93%, according to Freddie Mac. On March 31, 2021, mortgage rates were 3.08%, or approximately 40 basis points higher than on December 31, 2020 and approximately 90 basis points lower than the 10-year average, according to Freddie Mac.
Our financial results are favorably impacted by a low interest rate environment as a decline in mortgage rates generally drives increased refinancing activity and homesale transactions. For example, the Company recorded equity earnings from our mortgage origination joint venture, Guaranteed Rate Affinity, of $30 million and $9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 which, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, represented approximately 19% of the Company's Operating EBITDA. Realogy Title Group also experienced a 130% increase in the number of refinancing title and closing units processed as a result of homeowners refinancing their home loans for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to March 31, 2020. The refinancing volume of these businesses are inherently cyclical and this level of volume may not be maintained or may meaningfully decrease with fluctuations in market conditions such as mortgage rates. We have been and could again be negatively impacted by a rising interest rate environment as increases in mortgage rates
have a negative impact on refinancing title and closing units and mortgage unit volumes, could compress margins at Guaranteed Rate Affinity, and adversely impact housing affordability and homesale transaction volume.
Due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis, banks may tighten mortgage standards, even if rates remain at low levels or decline, which could limit the availability of mortgage financing. In addition, many individuals and businesses have benefited and may be continuing to benefit from one or more federal and/or state monetary or fiscal programs meant to assist in the navigation of COVID-related financial challenges (including mortgage forbearance programs), and the termination or substantial curtailment of, or failure to extend, such programs could have a negative impact on their financial health.
Affordability. The fixed housing affordability index, as reported by NAR, decreased from 176 for February 2020 to 173 for February 2021. A housing affordability index above 100 signifies that a family earning the median income has sufficient income to purchase a median-priced home, assuming a 20 percent down payment and ability to qualify for a mortgage. Housing affordability may be impacted in future periods by increases in average homesale price and the low inventory environment as well as the rise in unemployment and economic challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, but we are unable to estimate the extent due to the uncertainties of the COVID-19 crisis and its related impact on the U.S. economy.
Recruitment and Retention of Independent Sales Agents; Commission Income. Recruitment and retention of independent sales agents and independent sales agent teams are critical to the business and financial results of a brokerage, including our company owned brokerages and those operated by our affiliated franchisees. In the first quarter of 2021, agents affiliated with our company owned brokerages grew 3% and, based on information from such franchisees, agents affiliated with our U.S. franchisees increased 1%, in each case as compared to March 31, 2020. Aggressive competition for the affiliation of independent sales agents has negatively impacted recruitment and retention efforts at both Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups, in particular with respect to more productive sales agents, and has previously had and may continue to have a negative impact on our market share. These competitive market factors are expected to continue to put upward pressure on the average share of commissions earned by independent sales agents and may continue to impact our franchisees; such franchisees have and may continue to seek reduced royalty fee arrangements or other incentives from us to offset the continued business pressures on such franchisees, which would result in a reduction in royalty fees paid to us.
This competitive environment has continued throughout most of the COVID-19 crisis, particularly at the outset of the pandemic, when we took proactive measures to preserve liquidity, including in connection with our recruitment and retention efforts.
Non-Traditional Market Participants. While real estate brokers using historical real estate brokerage models typically compete for business primarily on the basis of services offered, brokerage commission, reputation, utilization of technology and personal contacts, participants pursuing non-traditional methods of marketing real estate may compete in other ways, including companies that employ technologies intended to disrupt historical real estate brokerage models or minimize or eliminate the role traditional brokers and sales agents perform in the homesale transaction process. The significant size of the U.S. real estate market has continued to attract outside capital investment in disruptive and traditional competitors that seek to access a portion of this market, including iBuying business models. These competitors and their investors may pursue increases in market share over profitability, further complicating the competitive landscape.
A growing number of companies are competing in non-traditional ways for a portion of the gross commission income generated by homesale transactions. For example, an increasing number of sales agents are operating in a virtual capacity, which may dilute the relationship between the brokerage and the agent. In addition, many iBuying business models seek to disintermediate real estate brokers and independent sales agents from buyers and sellers of homes by reducing or eliminating brokerage commissions that may be earned on those transactions. In October 2020, we continued to evolve our agent-focused iBuying offerings through the launch of a joint venture with Home Partners of America intended to expand the geographic reach of our RealSure program, which is available in 13 U.S. markets as of March 31, 2021 (and is expected to expand to 20 U.S. markets in 2021). Under the RealSure Sell program, sellers with qualifying properties receive a cash offer valid for 45 days immediately upon listing, and during this time frame have the opportunity to pursue a better price by marketing their property with an affiliated independent sales agent. Sellers who are enrolled in RealSure Sell can utilize RealSure Buy to make a more competitive offer on their next home before their current home is sold by leveraging their RealSure Sell cash offer.
In addition, the concentration and market power of the top listing aggregators allow them to monetize their platforms by a variety of actions, including but not limited to setting up competing brokerages and/or expanding their offerings to include
products (including agent tools) and services ancillary to the real estate transaction, such as title, escrow and mortgage origination services, that compete with services offered by us, charging significant referral, listing and display fees, diluting the relationship between agents and brokers and between agents and the consumer, tying referrals to use of their products, consolidating and leveraging data, and engaging in preferential or exclusionary practices to favor or disfavor other industry participants. These actions divert and reduce the earnings of other industry participants, including our company owned and franchised brokerages. Aggregators could intensify their current business tactics or introduce new programs that could be materially disadvantageous to our business and other brokerage participants in the industry and such tactics could further increase pressures on the profitability of our company owned and franchised brokerages and affiliated independent sales agents, reduce our franchisor service revenue and dilute our relationships with our franchisees and our franchisees' relationships with affiliated independent sales agents and buyers and sellers of homes. For example, one dominant listing aggregator recently launched a brokerage with employee sales agents in several locations to support its iBuying offering and has joined many local multiple listing services, known as MLSs, as a participating broker to gain electronic access directly to real estate listings rather than relying on disparate electronic feeds from other brokers participating in the MLSs or MLS syndication feeds.
New Development. Realogy Brokerage Group has relationships with developers, primarily in major cities, in particular New York City, to provide marketing and brokerage services in new developments. New development closings can vary significantly from year to year due to timing matters that are outside of our control, including long cycle times and irregular project completion timing. In addition, the new development industry has also experienced significant disruption due to the COVID-19 crisis. Accordingly, earnings attributable to this business can fluctuate meaningfully from year to year, impacting both homesale transaction volume and the share of gross commission income we realize on such transactions.
Relocation Spending. Global corporate spending on relocation services has continued to shift to lower cost relocation benefits as corporate clients engage in cost reduction initiatives and/or restructuring programs, as well as changes in employment relocation trends. As a result of a shift in the mix of services and number of services being delivered per move, our relocation operations have been increasingly subject to a competitive pricing environment and lower average revenue per relocation. Lower volume growth, in particular with respect to global relocation activity, has also impacted the operating results of our relocation operations. The COVID-19 crisis as well as U.S. immigration and visa restrictions have exacerbated these trends. These factors are expected to continue to put pressure on the financial results of Cartus Relocation Services (part of the Realogy Franchise Group segment).
Leads Generation. Through Realogy Leads Group, a part of Realogy Franchise Group, we seek to provide high-quality leads to affiliated agents, including through real estate benefit programs that provide home-buying and selling assistance to members of organizations such as credit unions and interest groups that have established members who are buying or selling a home as well as to consumers and corporations who have expressed interest in a certain brand, product or service (such as relocation services). We operate several real estate benefit programs, including a program with a large long-term client as well as other programs we have launched in the past two years, including AARP® Real Estate Benefits. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain or expand these programs, and even if we are successful in these efforts, such programs may not generate a meaningful number of high-quality leads.
* * *
While data provided by NAR and Fannie Mae are two indicators of the direction of the residential housing market, we believe that homesale statistics will continue to vary between us and NAR and Fannie Mae because:
•they use survey data and estimates in their historical reports and forecasting models, which are subject to sampling error, whereas we use data based on actual reported results;
•there are geographical differences and concentrations in the markets in which we operate versus the national market. For example, many of our company owned brokerage offices are geographically located where average homesale prices are generally higher than the national average and therefore NAR survey data will not correlate with Realogy Brokerage Group's results;
•NAR’s forecasts utilize seasonally adjusted annualized rates and median price;
•NAR historical data is subject to periodic review and revision and these revisions have been material in the past, and could be material in the future; and
•NAR and Fannie Mae generally update their forecasts on a monthly basis and a subsequent forecast may change materially from a forecast that was previously issued.
While we believe that the industry data presented herein is derived from the most widely recognized sources for reporting U.S. residential housing market statistical data, we do not endorse or suggest reliance on this data alone. We also note that forecasts are inherently uncertain or speculative in nature and actual results for any period could materially differ.
KEY DRIVERS OF OUR BUSINESSES
Within Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups, we measure operating performance using the following key operating metrics: (i) closed homesale sides, which represents either the "buy" side or the "sell" side of a homesale transaction, (ii) average homesale price, which represents the average selling price of closed homesale transactions, and (iii) average homesale broker commission rate, which represents the average commission rate earned on either the "buy" side or "sell" side of a homesale transaction.
For Realogy Franchise Group, we also use net royalty per side, which represents the royalty payment to Realogy Franchise Group for each homesale transaction side taking into account royalty rates, average broker commission rates, volume incentives achieved and other incentives. We utilize net royalty per side as it includes the impact of changes in average homesale price as well as all incentives and represents the royalty revenue impact of each incremental side.
For Realogy Brokerage Group, we also use gross commission income per side, which represents gross commission income divided by closed homesale sides. Gross commission income includes commissions earned in homesale transactions and certain other activities, primarily leasing transactions. Realogy Brokerage Group, as a franchisee of Realogy Franchise Group, pays a royalty fee of approximately 6% per transaction to Realogy Franchise Group from the commission earned on a real estate transaction. The remainder of gross commission income is split between the broker (Realogy Brokerage Group) and the independent sales agent in accordance with their applicable independent contractor agreement (which specifies the portion of the broker commission to be paid to the agent), which varies by each agent agreement.
For Realogy Title Group, operating performance is evaluated using the following key metrics: (i) purchase title and closing units, which represent the number of title and closing units we process as a result of home purchases, (ii) refinance title and closing units, which represent the number of title and closing units we process as a result of homeowners refinancing their home loans, and (iii) average fee per closing unit, which represents the average fee we earn on purchase title and refinancing title sides. Results are favorably impacted by the low mortgage rate environment. An increase or decrease in homesale transactions will impact the financial results of Realogy Title Group; however, their financial results are not significantly impacted by a change in homesale price.
The following table presents our drivers for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. See "Results of Operations" below for a discussion as to how these drivers affected our business for the periods presented.
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Three Months Ended March 31,
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2021
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|
2020
|
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% Change
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Realogy Franchise Group (a)
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|
|
|
|
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Closed homesale sides
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244,698
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|
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203,188
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|
|
20
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%
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Average homesale price
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$
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394,000
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|
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$
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322,465
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|
|
22
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%
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Average homesale broker commission rate
|
2.47
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%
|
|
2.47
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%
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|
—
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bps
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Net royalty per side
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$
|
382
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|
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$
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316
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|
|
21
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%
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Realogy Brokerage Group
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|
|
|
|
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Closed homesale sides
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74,993
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|
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62,541
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|
|
20
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%
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Average homesale price
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$
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608,960
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|
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$
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533,813
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|
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14
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%
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Average homesale broker commission rate
|
2.43
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%
|
|
2.41
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%
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|
2
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bps
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Gross commission income per side
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$
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15,393
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|
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$
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13,597
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|
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13
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%
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Realogy Title Group
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Purchase title and closing units
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33,828
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28,724
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18
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%
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Refinance title and closing units
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20,467
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8,899
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|
|
130
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%
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Average fee per closing unit
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$
|
2,262
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|
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$
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2,269
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—
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%
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_______________
(a)Includes all franchisees except for Realogy Brokerage Group.
A decline in the number of homesale transactions and/or decline in homesale prices could adversely affect our results of operations by: (i) reducing the royalties we receive from our franchisees, (ii) reducing the commissions our company owned brokerage operations earn, (iii) reducing the demand for our title, escrow and settlement and underwriting services or the services of our mortgage origination joint venture, and (iv) increasing the risk of franchisee default due to lower homesale volume. Our results could also be negatively affected by a decline in commission rates charged by brokers or greater commission payments to sales agents or by an increase in volume or other incentives paid to franchisees.
With the exception of 2020, since 2014, we have experienced approximately a one basis point decline in the average homesale broker commission rate each year, which we believe has been largely attributable to increases in average homesale prices (as higher priced homes tend to have a lower broker commission) and, to a lesser extent, competitors providing fewer or similar services for a reduced fee. In 2020, the average homesale broker commission rate increased by two basis points at Realogy Brokerage Group and one basis point at Realogy Franchise Group.
Royalty fees are charged to all franchisees pursuant to the terms of the relevant franchise agreements and are included in each of the real estate brands' franchise disclosure documents. Most of our brands utilize a volume-based incentive model with a royalty fee rate that is initially equal to 6% of the franchisee's gross commission income, but subject to reduction based upon volume incentives.
We also utilize other royalty fee models that are not generally eligible for volume incentives. For example, certain of our franchisees (including some of our largest franchisees) have a flat royalty fee rate of less than 6%. In addition, a royalty fee generally equal to 5% of franchisee commission (capped at a set amount per independent sales agent per year) is applicable to franchisees operating under the "capped fee model" that was launched for our Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate franchise business in January 2019. Our Corcoran franchise business utilizes a tiered royalty fee model under which franchisees pay us a royalty fee percentage (generally set at an initial rate of 6%) that decreases in steps during each calendar year as the franchisee’s gross commission income reaches certain levels to a minimum of 4%. We have and may, from time to time in the future, restructure or revise the model used at one or more franchised brands, including with respect to the applicable initial royalty fee rate.
Other incentives may also be used as consideration to attract new franchisees, grow franchisees (including through independent sales agent recruitment) or extend existing franchise agreements, although in contrast to volume incentives, the majority of other incentives are not homesale transaction based.
Transaction volume growth has generally exceeded royalty revenue growth due primarily to the growth in gross commission income generated by our top 250 franchisees and our increased use of other sales incentives, both of which directly impact royalty revenue. Over the past several years, our top 250 franchisees have grown faster than our other franchisees through organic growth and market consolidation. If the amount of gross commission income generated by our top 250 franchisees continues to grow at a quicker pace relative to our other franchisees, we would expect our royalty revenue to continue to increase, but at a slower pace than homesale transaction volume. Likewise, our royalty revenue would continue to increase, but at a slower pace than homesale transaction volume, if the gross commission income generated by all of our franchisees grows faster than the applicable annual volume incentive table increase or if we increase our use of standard volume or other incentives. However, in the event that the gross commission income generated by our franchisees increases as a result of increased transaction volume, we would expect to recognize an increase in overall royalty payments to us.
We face significant competition from other national real estate brokerage brand franchisors for franchisees and we expect that the trend of increasing incentives will continue in the future in order to attract, retain, and help grow certain franchisees. Taking into account competitive factors, we have and may, from time to time in the future, restructure or revise the model used at one or more franchised brands. We expect to experience pressures on net royalty per side, largely due to the impact of competitive market factors noted above, continued concentration among our top 250 franchisees, and the impact of affiliated franchisees of our Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate brand moving to the "capped fee model" we adopted in 2019; however, these pressures were offset by increases in homesale prices in the three-month period ended March 31, 2021.
Realogy Brokerage Group has a significant concentration of real estate brokerage offices and transactions in geographic regions where home prices are at the higher end of the U.S. real estate market, particularly the east and west coasts, while Realogy Franchise Group has franchised offices that are more widely dispersed across the United States. Accordingly, operating results and homesale statistics may differ between Realogy Brokerage Group and Realogy Franchise Group based upon geographic presence and the corresponding homesale activity in each geographic region. In addition, the share of
commissions earned by independent sales agents directly impacts the margin earned by Realogy Brokerage Group. Such share of commissions earned by independent sales agents varies by region and commission schedules are generally progressive to incentivize sales agents to achieve higher levels of production. Commission share has been and we expect will continue to be subject to upward pressure in favor of the independent sales agent for a variety of factors, including more aggressive recruitment and retention activities taken by us and our competitors as well as growth in independent sales agent teams.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Discussed below are our condensed consolidated results of operations and the results of operations for each of our reportable segments. The reportable segments presented below represent our segments for which separate financial information is available and which is utilized on a regular basis by our chief operating decision maker to assess performance and to allocate resources. In identifying our reportable segments, we also consider the nature of services provided by our segments. Management evaluates the operating results of each of our reportable segments based upon revenue and Operating EBITDA. Operating EBITDA is defined by us as net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net (other than relocation services interest for securitization assets and securitization obligations), income taxes, and other items that are not core to the operating activities of the Company such as restructuring charges, former parent legacy items, gains or losses on the early extinguishment of debt, impairments, gains or losses on discontinued operations and gains or losses on the sale of investments or other assets. Our presentation of Operating EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Our results of operations should be read in conjunction with our other disclosures in this Item 2. including under the heading Current Business and Industry Trends.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 vs. Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Our consolidated results comprised the following:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
Change
|
Net revenues
|
$
|
1,547
|
|
|
$
|
1,168
|
|
|
$
|
379
|
|
Total expenses
|
1,527
|
|
|
1,780
|
|
|
(253)
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes, equity in earnings and noncontrolling interests
|
20
|
|
|
(612)
|
|
|
632
|
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
17
|
|
|
(141)
|
|
|
158
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities
|
(31)
|
|
|
(9)
|
|
|
(22)
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
34
|
|
|
(462)
|
|
|
496
|
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
(1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to Realogy Holdings and Realogy Group
|
$
|
33
|
|
|
$
|
(462)
|
|
|
$
|
495
|
|
Net revenues increased $379 million or 32% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2020 driven by higher homesale transaction volume at Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups and an increase in volume at Realogy Title Group, in each case due primarily to continued strength in the residential real estate market, which we attribute to certain beneficial consumer trends supported by other factors, including a favorable mortgage rate environment and low inventory contributing to higher average homesale price.
Total expenses decreased $253 million or 14% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to:
•lease asset impairments of $1 million during the first quarter of 2021 compared to $477 million in non-cash impairments during the first quarter of 2020. Non-cash impairments during the three months ended March 31, 2020 include:
◦a goodwill impairment charge of $413 million related to Realogy Brokerage Group;
◦an impairment charge of $30 million related to Realogy Franchise Group's trademarks;
◦$30 million of impairment charges during the three months ended March 31, 2020 (while Cartus Relocation Services was held for sale) to reduce the net assets to the estimated proceeds; and
◦other asset impairments of $4 million primarily related to lease asset impairments;
•a $63 million net decrease in interest expense primarily due to a $64 million decrease in expense related to mark-to-market adjustments for interest rate swaps that resulted in $13 million gains during the first quarter of 2021 compared to losses of $51 million during the first quarter of 2020; and
•a $7 million decrease in restructuring costs,
partially offset by:
•a $255 million increase in commission and other sales agent-related costs primarily due to an increase in homesale transaction volume as well as a result of higher agent commission costs primarily driven by a shift in mix to more productive, higher compensated agents, the impact of recruitment and retention efforts, and business and geographic mix;
•an $18 million increase in operating and general and administrative expenses primarily due to higher employee incentive accruals, partially offset by lower employee-related, occupancy and other operating costs as a result of cost savings initiatives; and
•a $17 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt as a result of the refinancing transactions during the first quarter of 2021.
Equity in earnings were $31 million during the first quarter of 2021 compared to earnings of $9 million during the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to an improvement in earnings of Guaranteed Rate Affinity at Realogy Title Group. Equity in earnings for Guaranteed Rate Affinity was $30 million, representing approximately 19% of the Company's Operating EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021, increasing by $21 million from $9 million in the first quarter of 2020. This improvement was the result of the low mortgage rate environment and higher loan officer count driving an increase in refinancing transactions and improved margins in the venture. Equity in earnings for the Company's other equity method investments increased $1 million from zero during the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same period in 2020.
During the first quarter of 2021, we incurred $5 million of restructuring costs primarily related to the Company's restructuring program focused on office consolidation and instituting operational efficiencies to drive profitability. The Company expects the estimated total cost of the program to be approximately $166 million, with $117 million incurred to date and $49 million remaining primarily related to future expenses as a result of reducing the leased-office footprints. See Note 5, "Restructuring Costs", to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The Company's provision for income taxes in interim periods is computed by applying its estimated annual effective tax rate against the income or loss before income taxes for the period. In addition, non-recurring or discrete items are recorded in the period in which they occur. The provision for income taxes was an expense of $17 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a benefit of $141 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Our effective tax rate was 33% and 23% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily impacted by non-deductible executive compensation and equity awards for which the market value at vesting was lower than at the date of grant.
The following table reflects the results of each of our reportable segments during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues (a)
|
|
$ Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
Operating EBITDA
|
|
$ Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
Operating EBITDA Margin
|
|
Change
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
Realogy Franchise Group
|
$
|
254
|
|
|
$
|
220
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
$
|
141
|
|
|
$
|
96
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
56
|
%
|
|
44
|
%
|
|
12
|
|
Realogy Brokerage Group
|
1,171
|
|
|
869
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
(51)
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
|
6
|
|
Realogy Title Group
|
201
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
408
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
21
|
|
Corporate and Other
|
(79)
|
|
|
(58)
|
|
|
(21)
|
|
|
*
|
|
(35)
|
|
|
(25)
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Company
|
$
|
1,547
|
|
|
$
|
1,168
|
|
|
379
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
$
|
162
|
|
|
$
|
32
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
406
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Depreciation and amortization
|
|
51
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
38
|
|
|
101
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense (benefit)
|
|
17
|
|
|
(141)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring costs, net (b)
|
|
5
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairments (c)
|
|
1
|
|
|
477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on the early extinguishment of debt (d)
|
|
17
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to Realogy Holdings and Realogy Group
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
|
$
|
(462)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
_______________
* not meaningful
(a)Includes the elimination of transactions between segments, which consists of intercompany royalties and marketing fees paid by Realogy Brokerage Group of $79 million and $58 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(b)Restructuring charges incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2021 include $2 million at Realogy Franchise Group, $2 million at Realogy Brokerage Group and $1 million at Corporate and Other. Restructuring charges incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2020 include $2 million at Realogy Franchise Group, $9 million at Realogy Brokerage Group and $1 million at Realogy Title Group.
(c)Impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2021 relate to lease asset impairments. Non-cash impairments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 include:
•a goodwill impairment charge of $413 million related to Realogy Brokerage Group;
•an impairment charge of $30 million related to Realogy Franchise Group's trademarks;
•$30 million of impairment charges during the three months ended March 31, 2020 (while Cartus Relocation Services was held for sale) to reduce the net assets to the estimated proceeds; and
•other asset impairments of $4 million primarily related to lease asset impairments.
(d)Loss on the early extinguishment of debt is recorded in Corporate and Other.
As described in the aforementioned table, Operating EBITDA margin for "Total Company" expressed as a percentage of revenues increased 7 percentage points to 10% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to 3% for the same period in 2020. On a segment basis, Realogy Franchise Group's margin increased 12 percentage points to 56% from 44% primarily due to an increase in royalty revenue as a result of an increase in homesale transaction volume, partially offset by a decrease in revenue related to the early termination of third party listing fee agreements. Realogy Brokerage Group's margin increased 6 percentage points to zero from negative 6% primarily due to higher transaction volume and lower operating expenses principally driven by cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher agent commission costs driven by a shift in mix to more productive, higher compensated agents, the impact of recruiting and retention efforts, as well as business and geographic mix. Realogy Title Group's margin increased 21 percentage points to 30% from 9% primarily due to an increase in equity in earnings of Guaranteed Rate Affinity as a result of the low mortgage rate environment and higher loan officer count driving an increase in refinancing transactions and improved margins in the venture, as well as an increase in underwriter, refinance and resale activity at Realogy Title Group.
Corporate and Other Operating EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2021 declined $10 million to negative $35 million primarily due to higher employee incentive accruals.
Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups on a Combined Basis
The following table reflects Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups' results before the intercompany royalties and marketing fees as well as on a combined basis to show the Operating EBITDA contribution of these business segments to the overall Operating EBITDA of the Company. The Operating EBITDA margin for the combined segments increased 6 percentage points from 4% to 10% primarily due to higher homesale transaction volume during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
Operating EBITDA
|
|
$ Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
Operating EBITDA Margin
|
|
Change
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
Realogy Franchise Group (a)
|
$
|
175
|
|
|
$
|
162
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
$
|
62
|
|
|
$
|
38
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
23
|
%
|
|
12
|
|
Realogy Brokerage Group (a)
|
1,171
|
|
|
869
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
957
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
5
|
|
Realogy Franchise and Brokerage Groups Combined
|
$
|
1,346
|
|
|
$
|
1,031
|
|
|
315
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
$
|
136
|
|
|
$
|
45
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
6
|
|
_______________
(a)The segment numbers noted above do not reflect the impact of intercompany royalties and marketing fees paid by Realogy Brokerage Group to Realogy Franchise Group of $79 million and $58 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Realogy Franchise Group
Revenues increased $34 million to $254 million and Operating EBITDA increased $45 million to $141 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with the same period in 2020.
Revenues increased $34 million primarily as a result of:
•a $30 million increase in third-party domestic franchisee royalty revenue primarily due to a 47% increase in homesale transaction volume at Realogy Franchise Group which consisted of a 22% increase in average homesale price and a 20% increase in existing homesale transactions;
•a $20 million increase in intercompany royalties received from Realogy Brokerage Group; and
•a $3 million increase in brand marketing fund revenue, for which related expenses increased $3 million,
partially offset by:
•a $13 million decrease in service and other revenue primarily related to a $18 million net decrease in revenue from our relocation and lead generation operations driven by lower volume largely related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
•a $6 million decrease in revenue related to the early termination of third party listing fee agreements.
Realogy Franchise Group revenue includes intercompany royalties received from Realogy Brokerage Group of $76 million and $56 million during the first quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively, which are eliminated in consolidation against the expense reflected in Realogy Brokerage Group's results.
The $45 million increase in Operating EBITDA was primarily due to the $34 million increase in revenues discussed above, a $10 million decrease in employee and other operating costs principally due to cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher employee incentive accruals, as well as $4 million of lower expense for bad debt and notes reserves. These Operating EBITDA increases were partially offset by the $3 million increase in marketing expense discussed above.
Realogy Brokerage Group
Revenues increased $302 million to $1,171 million and Operating EBITDA increased $46 million to negative $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with the same period in 2020.
The revenue increase of $302 million was primarily driven by a 37% increase in homesale transaction volume at Realogy Brokerage Group which primarily consisted of a 20% increase in existing homesale transactions and a 14% increase in average homesale price. Realogy Brokerage Group benefited from continued strength in the residential real estate market, which we attribute to certain beneficial consumer trends supported by other factors, including a favorable mortgage rate environment and low inventory contributing to higher average homesale price.
Operating EBITDA increased $46 million primarily due to:
•the $302 million increase in revenues discussed above;
•a $16 million decrease in employee-related, occupancy and other operating costs due to cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher employee incentive accruals; and
•a $3 million decrease in marketing expense primarily due to a shift in advertising and marketing strategy,
partially offset by:
•a $255 million increase in commission expenses paid to independent sales agents from $630 million for the first quarter of 2020 to $885 million in the first quarter of 2021. Commission expense increased primarily as a result of the impact of higher homesale transaction volume as discussed above, as well as higher agent commission costs primarily driven by a shift in mix to more productive, higher compensated agents, the impact of recruiting and retention efforts, as well as business and geographic mix; and
•a $20 million increase in royalties paid to Realogy Franchise Group from $56 million during the first quarter of 2020 to $76 million during the first quarter of 2021 associated with the homesale transaction volume increase as described above.
Realogy Title Group
Revenues increased $64 million to $201 million and Operating EBITDA increased $49 million to $61 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with the same period in 2020.
Revenues increased $64 million primarily as a result of a $29 million increase in underwriter revenue (including a $27 million increase in underwriter revenue with unaffiliated agents, which had a $4 million net positive impact on Operating
EBITDA due to the related expense increase of $23 million) and a $21 million increase in refinance revenue due to an increase in activity in the refinance market driven by the favorable interest rate environment. In addition, there was a $13 million increase in resale revenue attributable to increased purchase unit activity due to continued strength in the residential real estate market, which we attribute to certain beneficial consumer trends supported by other factors, including a favorable mortgage rate environment and low inventory contributing to higher average homesale price. Equity earnings or losses related to our minority interest in Guaranteed Rate Affinity are included in the financial results of Realogy Title Group, but are not reported as revenue to Realogy Title Group.
Operating EBITDA increased $49 million primarily as a result of the $64 million increase in revenues discussed above, a $22 million increase in equity in earnings mostly related to Guaranteed Rate Affinity as a result of the low mortgage rate environment and higher loan officer count driving an increase in refinancing transactions and improved margins in the venture and $6 million unrealized gain on an investment. These increases were partially offset by a $23 million increase in variable operating costs related to the increase in underwriter revenue with unaffiliated agents discussed above where the revenue and expense are recorded on a gross basis and a $20 million increase in employee and other operating costs due to higher variable costs as a result of higher volume and higher employee incentive accruals.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Financial Condition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2021
|
|
December 31, 2020
|
|
Change
|
Total assets
|
$
|
6,894
|
|
|
$
|
6,934
|
|
|
$
|
(40)
|
|
Total liabilities
|
5,097
|
|
|
5,167
|
|
|
(70)
|
|
Total equity
|
1,797
|
|
|
1,767
|
|
|
30
|
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, total assets decreased $40 million primarily due to:
•a $116 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents;
•a $22 million net decrease in franchise agreements and other amortizable intangible assets primarily due to amortization; and
•a $9 million decrease in property and equipment,
partially offset by:
•a $89 million increase in other current and non-current assets;
•a $10 million net increase in operating lease assets; and
•a $7 million increase in trade and relocation receivables primarily due to seasonal increases in volume.
Total liabilities decreased $70 million primarily due to:
•a $77 million decrease in accrued expenses and other current liabilities primarily due to the payment of employee-related liabilities in the first quarter of 2021 which were fully accrued as of December 31, 2020, partially offset by accrued interest;
•a $25 million decrease in accounts payable; and
•a $6 million decrease in securitization obligations,
partially offset by:
•a $16 million increase in other non-current liabilities;
•a $16 million increase in deferred tax liabilities; and
•a $6 million increase in operating lease liabilities.
Total equity increased $30 million primarily due to net income of $33 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 partially offset by a $2 million decrease in additional paid in capital related to the Company's stock-based compensation activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically satisfied our liquidity needs with cash flows from operations and funds available under our Revolving Credit Facility and securitization facilities. Our primary liquidity needs have been to service our debt and finance our working capital and capital expenditures. We currently expect to prioritize investing in our business and reducing indebtedness.
We are significantly encumbered by our debt obligations. As of March 31, 2021, our total debt, excluding our securitization obligations, was $3,231 million compared to $3,239 million as of December 31, 2020. Our liquidity position has been and is expected to continue to be negatively impacted by the interest expense on our debt obligations, which could be intensified by a significant increase in LIBOR (or any replacement rate) or ABR.
In January and February 2021, Realogy Group entered into refinancing transactions, including the issuance in the aggregate of $900 million of 5.75% Senior Notes due 2029 (the proceeds of which were used to pay down $250 million of the Term Loan A Facility and $655 million of the Term Loan B Facility) and the amendment of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Term Loan A Agreement (the "2021 Amendments"). The 2021 Amendments provide for the extension of the maturity of a portion of the remaining balance of the Term Loan A facility from 2023 to 2025 and the extension of the maturity of a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility from 2023 to 2025, in each case subject to certain earlier springing maturity dates. The 2021 Amendments also reduce the maximum permitted senior secured leverage ratio (the financial covenant under such agreements) under the Senior Secured Credit and Term Loan A Agreements to below the levels that had been permitted under the amendments to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Term Loan A Agreement entered into by the Company in July 2020 (the "2020 Amendments"). As was the case under the 2020 Amendments, the revised senior secured leverage ratio will remain in place through the second quarter of 2022, unless earlier terminated by us, and on and after the second quarter of 2022, the senior secured leverage ratio will return to 4.75 to 1.00 (which was the applicable level prior to the effectiveness of the 2020 and 2021 Amendments). See Note 4, "Short and Long-Term Debt", to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. On April 28, 2021, the Company used cash on hand to pay down $150 million of the Term Loan B Facility, reducing the principal amount of that Facility to $240 million.
At March 31, 2021, we were in compliance with the financial covenant in each of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and the Term Loan A Agreement with a senior secured leverage ratio of 0.64 to 1.00 (as compared to the maximum ratio of 5.25 to 1.00 permitted under the 2021 Amendments for such period) with secured debt (net of readily available cash) of $597 million and trailing four quarters EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis (as those terms are defined in the Senior Secured Credit Agreement) of $935 million. We believe that we will continue to be in compliance with the senior secured leverage ratio and meet our cash flow needs during the next twelve months. For additional information, see below under the header "Financial Obligations—Covenants under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, Term Loan A Facility and Indentures".
We will continue to evaluate potential refinancing and financing transactions, subject to the restrictions during the covenant period described in the 2020 Amendments, including refinancing certain tranches of our indebtedness and extending maturities, among other potential alternatives. There can be no assurance as to which, if any, of these alternatives we may pursue as the choice of any alternative will depend upon numerous factors such as market conditions, our financial performance and the limitations applicable to such transactions under our existing financing agreements and the consents we may need to obtain under the relevant documents. Financing may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. Any future indebtedness may impose various additional restrictions and covenants on us which could limit our ability to respond to market conditions, to make capital investments or to take advantage of business opportunities.
Historically, operating results and revenues for all of our businesses have been strongest in the second and third quarters of the calendar year, although the strong recovery in the second half of 2020 resulted in higher than historic operating results and revenues in the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021. A significant portion of the expenses we incur in our real estate brokerage operations are related to marketing activities and commissions and therefore, are variable. However, many of our other expenses, such as interest payments, facilities costs and certain personnel-related costs, are fixed and cannot be reduced during the seasonal fluctuations in the business. Consequently, our need to borrow under the Revolving Credit Facility and corresponding debt balances are generally at their highest levels at or around the end of the first quarter of every year.
We may from time to time seek to repurchase our outstanding Unsecured Notes, 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes or term loans through, as applicable, tender offers, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors.
In addition, we are required to pay quarterly amortization payments for the Extended Term Loan A and Term Loan B Facility. Remaining payments for 2021 total $4 million and $8 million for the Extended Term Loan A and Term Loan B Facility, respectively, and we expect payments for 2022 to total $10 million and $11 million for the Extended Term Loan A and Term Loan B Facility, respectively.
We have historically utilized net operating losses to offset the majority of our federal and state income tax payments. Based upon current financial projections, we expect that we will utilize the majority of our remaining net operating losses during 2022.
If the recovery of the residential real estate market were to materially slow or reverse itself, if the economy as a whole does not improve or if the broader real estate industry (including REITs, commercial and rental markets) were to experience a significant downturn, our business, financial condition and liquidity may be materially adversely affected, including our ability to access capital, grow our business and return capital to stockholders.
Cash Flows
At March 31, 2021, we had $409 million of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, a decrease of $114 million compared to the balance of $523 million at December 31, 2020. The following table summarizes our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31,
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|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
Change
|
Cash provided by (used in):
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|
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
$
|
(37)
|
|
|
$
|
(82)
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|
|
$
|
45
|
|
Investing activities
|
(32)
|
|
|
(39)
|
|
|
7
|
|
Financing activities
|
(45)
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
(545)
|
|
Effects of change in exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
|
—
|
|
|
(1)
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|
|
1
|
|
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
|
$
|
(114)
|
|
|
$
|
378
|
|
|
$
|
(492)
|
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, $45 million less cash was used in operating activities compared to the same period in 2020 principally due to:
•$108 million more cash provided by operating results;
•$30 million more cash from dividends received primarily from Guaranteed Rate Affinity; and
•$12 million less cash used for other assets,
partially offset by:
•$94 million more cash used for accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities;
•$6 million less cash provided by the net change in relocation and trade receivables; and
•$5 million more cash used for other operating activities.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we used $7 million less cash for investing activities compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to:
•$6 million less cash used for property and equipment additions; and
•$4 million less cash used for other investing activities,
partially offset by $5 million more cash used for investments in unconsolidated entities.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021, $45 million of cash was used in financing activities compared to $500 million of cash provided by during the same period in 2020. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, $45 million of cash was used as follows:
•$19 million of cash paid as a result of the refinancing transactions in the first quarter of 2021;
•$8 million of tax payments related to net share settlement for stock-based compensation;
•$8 million of other financing payments primarily related to finance leases;
•$7 million net decrease in securitization borrowings; and
•$3 million of quarterly amortization payments on the term loan facilities.
For the three months ended March 31, 2020, $500 million of cash was provided by financing activities related to $565 million of additional borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility partially offset by:
•$43 million net decrease in securitization borrowings;
•$11 million of other financing payments primarily related to finance leases;
•$7 million of quarterly amortization payments on the term loan facilities; and
•$4 million of tax payments related to net share settlement for stock-based compensation.
Financial Obligations
See Note 4, "Short and Long-Term Debt", to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, for information on the Company's indebtedness as of March 31, 2021.
LIBOR Transition
LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. As a result of concerns about the accuracy of the calculation of LIBOR, a number of British Bankers’ Association member banks entered into settlements with certain regulators and law enforcement agencies with respect to the alleged manipulation of LIBOR, and LIBOR and other "benchmark" rates are subject to ongoing national and international regulatory scrutiny and reform. The cessation date for submission and publication of rates for certain tenors of LIBOR has since been extended by the ICE Benchmark Administration until mid-2023. In response to concerns regarding the future of LIBOR, the United States Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing LIBOR with a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by U.S. Treasury securities: the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or "SOFR." We are unable to predict whether SOFR will attain market traction as a LIBOR replacement or the impact of other reforms, whether currently enacted or enacted in the future. Any new benchmark rate, including SOFR, will likely not replicate LIBOR exactly and if future rates based upon a successor rate are higher than LIBOR rates as currently determined, it could result in an increase in the cost of our variable rate indebtedness and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our primary interest rate exposure is interest rate fluctuations, specifically with respect to LIBOR, due to its impact on our variable rate borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility (for our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan B Facility) and the Term Loan A Facility. As of March 31, 2021, we had interest rate swaps based on LIBOR with a notional value of $1,000 million to manage a portion of our exposure to changes in interest rates associated with our variable rate borrowings.
Covenants under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, Term Loan A Facility and Indentures
The Senior Secured Credit Agreement, Term Loan A Agreement, and the indentures governing the Unsecured Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes contain various covenants that limit (subject to certain exceptions) Realogy Group’s ability to, among other things:
•incur or guarantee additional debt or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock;
•pay dividends or make distributions to Realogy Group’s stockholders, including Realogy Holdings;
•repurchase or redeem capital stock;
•make loans, investments or acquisitions;
•incur restrictions on the ability of certain of Realogy Group's subsidiaries to pay dividends or to make other payments to Realogy Group;
•enter into transactions with affiliates;
•create liens;
•merge or consolidate with other companies or transfer all or substantially all of Realogy Group's and its material subsidiaries' assets;
•transfer or sell assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; and
•prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated indebtedness.
Pursuant to the 2020 Amendments to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Term Loan A Agreement, certain of these restrictions were tightened, including reducing (or eliminating) the amount available for certain types of additional indebtedness, liens, restricted payments (including dividends and stock repurchases), investments (including acquisitions and joint ventures), and voluntary junior debt repayments.
As a result of the covenants to which we remain subject, we are limited in the manner in which we conduct our business and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs. In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Term Loan A Agreement require us to maintain a senior secured leverage ratio.
Senior Secured Leverage Ratio applicable to our Senior Secured Credit Facility and Term Loan A Facility
The senior secured leverage ratio is tested quarterly. Prior to the 2020 Amendments, the senior secured leverage ratio could not exceed 4.75 to 1.00. Pursuant to the 2021 Amendments, the senior secured leverage ratio financial covenant contained in each of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Term Loan A Agreement has been amended to require that Realogy Group maintain a senior secured leverage ratio not to exceed 5.25 to 1.00 commencing with the fourth quarter of 2020 through and including the second quarter of 2021 and thereafter will step down to 5.00 to 1.00 through and including the first quarter of 2022, and will return to 4.75 to 1.00 on and after the second quarter of 2022. As was the case under the 2020 Amendments, we also may elect to end the covenant period under the 2021 Amendments at any time, provided the senior secured leverage ratio does not exceed 4.75 to 1.00 as of the most recently ended quarter for which financial statements have been delivered. In such event, the senior secured leverage ratio will reset to the pre-amendment level of 4.75 to 1.00 thereafter.
The senior secured leverage ratio is measured by dividing Realogy Group's total senior secured net debt by the trailing four quarters EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, as those terms are defined in the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. Total senior secured net debt does not include the 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, our unsecured indebtedness, including the Unsecured Notes, or the securitization obligations. EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, includes adjustments to EBITDA for restructuring, retention and disposition costs, former parent legacy cost (benefit) items, net, loss (gain) on the early extinguishment of debt, non-cash charges and incremental securitization interest costs, as well as pro forma cost savings for restructuring initiatives, the pro forma effect of business optimization initiatives and the pro forma effect of acquisitions and new franchisees, in each case calculated as of the beginning of the trailing four-quarter period. The Company was in compliance with the senior secured leverage ratio covenant at March 31, 2021.
A reconciliation of net (loss) income attributable to Realogy Group to Operating EBITDA and EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, as those terms are defined in the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, for the four-quarter period ended March 31, 2021 is set forth in the following table:
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|
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|
Less
|
|
Equals
|
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Plus
|
|
Equals
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Twelve Months
Ended
|
|
December 31,
2020
|
|
March 31,
2020
|
|
December 31,
2020
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
Net (loss) income attributable to Realogy Group (a)
|
$
|
(360)
|
|
|
$
|
(462)
|
|
|
$
|
102
|
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
|
$
|
135
|
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
(104)
|
|
|
(141)
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
54
|
|
(Loss) income before income taxes
|
(464)
|
|
|
(603)
|
|
|
139
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
189
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
186
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
141
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
192
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
246
|
|
|
101
|
|
|
145
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
183
|
|
Restructuring costs, net
|
67
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
60
|
|
Impairments
|
682
|
|
|
477
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
206
|
|
Former parent legacy cost, net
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
Loss on the early extinguishment of debt
|
8
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
25
|
|
Operating EBITDA (b)
|
726
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
694
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
856
|
|
Bank covenant adjustments:
|
|
|
Pro forma effect of business optimization initiatives (c)
|
|
46
|
|
Non-cash charges (d)
|
|
24
|
|
Pro forma effect of acquisitions and new franchisees (e)
|
|
6
|
|
Incremental securitization interest costs (f)
|
|
3
|
|
EBITDA as defined by the Senior Secured Credit Agreement
|
|
$
|
935
|
|
Total senior secured net debt (g)
|
|
$
|
597
|
|
Senior secured leverage ratio
|
|
0.64
|
x
|
_______________
(a)Net (loss) income attributable to Realogy consists of: (i) loss of $14 million for the second quarter of 2020, (ii) income of $98 million for the third quarter of 2020, (iii) income of $18 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and (iv) income of $33 million for the first quarter of 2021.
(b)Operating EBITDA consists of: (i) $175 million for the second quarter of 2020, (ii) $313 million for the third quarter of 2020, (iii) $206 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and (iv) $162 million for the first quarter of 2021.
(c)Represents the four-quarter pro forma effect of business optimization initiatives.
(d)Represents the elimination of non-cash expenses including $39 million of stock-based compensation expense less $8 million of other items, $5 million of foreign exchange benefits and $2 million for the change in the allowance for doubtful accounts and notes reserves for the four-quarter period ended March 31, 2021.
(e)Represents the estimated impact of acquisitions and franchise sales activity, net of brokerages that exited our franchise system as if these changes had occurred on April 1, 2020. Franchisee sales activity is comprised of new franchise agreements as well as growth through acquisitions and independent sales agent recruitment by existing franchisees with our assistance. We have made a number of assumptions in calculating such estimates and there can be no assurance that we would have generated the projected levels of Operating EBITDA had we owned the acquired entities or entered into the franchise contracts as of April 1, 2020.
(f)Incremental borrowing costs incurred as a result of the securitization facilities refinancing for the twelve months ended March 31, 2021.
(g)Represents total borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility (including the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan B Facility) and Term Loan A Facility and borrowings secured by a first priority lien on our assets of $824 million plus $28 million of finance lease obligations less $255 million of readily available cash as of March 31, 2021. Pursuant to the terms of our senior secured credit facilities, total senior secured net debt does not include our securitization obligations, 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes or unsecured indebtedness, including the Unsecured Notes.
Consolidated Leverage Ratio applicable to our 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes
The consolidated leverage ratio is measured by dividing Realogy Group's total net debt by the trailing four quarter EBITDA. EBITDA, as defined in the indentures governing the 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, is substantially similar to EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the period presented, as those terms are defined in the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. Net debt under the indentures is Realogy Group's total indebtedness (excluding securitizations) less (i) its cash and cash equivalents in excess of restricted cash and (ii) a $200 million seasonality adjustment permitted when measuring the ratio on a date during the period of March 1 to May 31.
The consolidated leverage ratio under the indentures governing the 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes for the four-quarter period ended March 31, 2021 is set forth in the following table:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2021
|
Non-extended Revolving Credit Commitment
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Extended Revolving Credit Commitment
|
|
—
|
|
Non-extended Term Loan A
|
|
197
|
|
Extended Term Loan A
|
|
237
|
|
Term Loan B
|
|
390
|
|
7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes
|
|
550
|
|
4.875% Senior Notes
|
|
407
|
|
9.375% Senior Notes
|
|
550
|
|
5.75% Senior Notes
|
|
900
|
|
Finance lease obligations
|
|
28
|
|
Corporate Debt (excluding securitizations)
|
|
3,259
|
|
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
404
|
|
Net Corporate Debt (excluding securitizations)
|
|
2,855
|
|
Less: Seasonality adjustment (a)
|
|
200
|
|
Net debt under the indentures governing the 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes
|
|
$
|
2,655
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA as defined under the indentures governing the 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes (b)
|
|
$
|
935
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated leverage ratio under the indentures governing the 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes
|
|
2.8
|
x
|
_______________
(a)The indentures governing the 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes provide for a $200 million seasonality adjustment permitted when measuring the ratio on a date during the period of March 1 to May 31. Without this seasonality adjustment, the ratio would have been 3.1x for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
(b)As set forth in the immediately preceding table, for the four-quarter period ended March 31, 2021, EBITDA, as defined under the indentures governing the 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, was the same as EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, as those terms are defined in the Senior Secured Credit Agreement.
At March 31, 2021 the amount of the Company's cumulative credit under the 9.375% Senior Notes and 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes was approximately $471 million. At March 31, 2021, the cumulative credit basket available for restricted payments was approximately $450 million under the indenture governing the 9.375% Senior Notes and approximately $471 million under the indenture governing 7.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes.
See Note 4, "Short and Long-Term Debt—Senior Secured Credit Facility and Term Loan A Facility" and "—Unsecured Notes" and "— Senior Secured Second Lien Notes", to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The SEC has adopted rules to regulate the use in filings with the SEC and in public disclosures of "non-GAAP financial measures," such as Operating EBITDA. These measures are derived on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with GAAP.
Operating EBITDA is defined by us as net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net (other than relocation services interest for securitization assets and securitization obligations), income taxes, and other items that are not core to the operating activities of the Company such as restructuring charges, former parent legacy items, gains or losses on the early extinguishment of debt, impairments, gains or losses on discontinued operations and gains or losses on the sale of investments or other assets. Operating EBITDA is our primary non-GAAP measure.
We present Operating EBITDA because we believe it is useful as a supplemental measure in evaluating the performance of our operating businesses and provides greater transparency into our results of operations. Our management, including our chief operating decision maker, uses Operating EBITDA as a factor in evaluating the performance of our business. Operating EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income or other statement of operations data prepared in accordance with GAAP.
We believe Operating EBITDA facilitates company-to-company operating performance comparisons by backing out potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting net interest expense), taxation, the age and book depreciation of facilities (affecting relative depreciation expense) and the amortization of intangibles, as well as other items that are not core to the operating activities of the Company such as restructuring charges, gains or losses on the early extinguishment of debt, former parent legacy items, impairments, gains or losses on discontinued operations and gains or losses on the sale of investments or other assets, which may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to operating performance. We further believe that Operating EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies, many of which present an Operating EBITDA measure when reporting their results.
Operating EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider Operating EBITDA either in isolation or as a substitute for analyzing our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
•this measure does not reflect changes in, or cash required for, our working capital needs;
•this measure does not reflect our interest expense (except for interest related to our securitization obligations), or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;
•this measure does not reflect our income tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes;
•this measure does not reflect historical cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
•although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often require replacement in the future, and this measure does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and
•other companies may calculate this measure differently so they may not be comparable.
Contractual Obligations
The Company's future contractual obligations as of March 31, 2021 have not changed materially from the amounts reported on the "Contractual Obligations Update" table in our 2020 Form 10-K, which included the Company's debt transactions on a pro forma basis that occurred during the first quarter of 2021, as described in Note 4, "Short and Long-Term Debt", to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
In presenting our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. Several of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they pertain to future events. However, events that are outside of our control cannot be predicted and, as such, they cannot be contemplated in evaluating such estimates and assumptions. If there is a significant unfavorable change to current conditions, it could result in a material adverse impact to our combined results of operations, financial position and liquidity. We believe that the estimates and assumptions we used when preparing our financial statements were the most appropriate at that time.
These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which includes a description of our critical accounting policies that involve subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results.
Impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible 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. Other indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of trademarks acquired in business combinations. Goodwill and other 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 $2,909 million and $705 million, respectively, at March 31, 2021 and are subject to an impairment assessment annually as of October 1, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. This assessment compares carrying values of the goodwill reporting units and other indefinite lived intangible assets to their respective fair values and, when appropriate, the carrying value is reduced to fair value.
In testing goodwill, the fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using the income approach, a discounted cash flow approach. For the other indefinite lived intangible assets, fair value is estimated using the relief from royalty method. Management utilizes long-term cash flow forecasts and the Company's annual operating plans adjusted for terminal value assumptions. The fair value of the Company's reporting units and other indefinite lived intangible assets are determined utilizing the best estimate of future revenues, operating expenses, including commission expense, market and general economic conditions, trends in the industry, as well as assumptions that management believes 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 management believes that assumptions are reasonable, actual results may vary significantly. These impairment assessments 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, a sensitivity analysis is performed on key estimates and assumptions.
Significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to our business, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of the assets, a decrease in our business results, growth rates that fall below our assumptions, divestitures, and a sustained decline in our stock price and market capitalization may have a negative effect on the fair values and key valuation assumptions. Such changes could result in changes to our estimates of our fair value and a material impairment of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Management considered these factors and does not believe that it was more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The SEC issued a final rule on Management’s Discussion and Analysis, Selected Financial Data, and Supplementary Financial Information adopting amendments to modernize, simplify, and enhance certain financial disclosure requirements in Regulation S-K. In summary, the amendments eliminate the requirement to provide selected financial data in Item 301, replace the requirement for tabular supplementary financial information in Item 302 with a principles-based disclosure
requirement regarding material retrospective changes and make amendments to Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Item 303 intended to eliminate duplicative disclosures and modernize and enhance MD&A disclosures for the benefit of investors, while simplifying compliance efforts for registrants. The amendments became effective on February 10, 2021 and companies are required to comply with the amendments beginning with the first fiscal year that ends on or after the date that is 210 days after publication in the Federal Register (which was on January 11, 2021). Therefore, the Company will not be required to comply with the amended rules until its 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The rules may be applied early on an Item by Item basis as long as all of the amendments within an Item comply.
See Note 1, "Basis of Presentation", to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued FASB accounting pronouncements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks.
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates primarily through our senior secured debt. At March 31, 2021, our primary interest rate exposure was to interest rate fluctuations, specifically LIBOR, due to its impact on our variable rate borrowings of our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan B Facility under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the Term Loan A Facility. Given that our borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Term Loan A Facility are generally based upon LIBOR, this rate (or any replacement rate) will be the Company's primary market risk exposure for the foreseeable future. We do not have significant exposure to foreign currency risk nor do we expect to have significant exposure to foreign currency risk in the foreseeable future.
We assess our market risk based on changes in interest rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis measures the potential impact on earnings, fair values and cash flows based on a hypothetical change (increase and decrease) in interest rates. We exclude the fair values of relocation receivables and advances and securitization borrowings from our sensitivity analysis because we believe the interest rate risk on these assets and liabilities is mitigated as the rate we earn on relocation receivables and advances and the rate we incur on our securitization borrowings are based on similar variable indices.
At March 31, 2021, we had variable interest rate long-term debt outstanding under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and Term Loan A Facility of $824 million, which excludes $100 million of securitization obligations. The weighted average interest rate on the outstanding amounts under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and Term Loan A Facility at March 31, 2021 was 2.40%. The interest rate with respect to the Term Loan B Facility is based on adjusted LIBOR plus 2.25% (with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%). The interest rates with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility and term loans under the Term Loan A Facility are based on adjusted LIBOR plus an additional margin subject to adjustment based on the current senior secured leverage ratio. Based on the March 31, 2021 senior secured leverage ratio, the LIBOR margin was 1.75%. At March 31, 2021, the one-month LIBOR rate was 0.11%; therefore, we have estimated that a 0.25% increase in LIBOR would have a $1 million impact on our annual interest expense.
As of March 31, 2021, we had interest rate swaps with a notional value of $1,000 million to manage a portion of our exposure to changes in interest rates associated with our $824 million of variable rate borrowings. Our interest rate swaps were as follows:
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Notional Value (in millions)
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Commencement Date
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Expiration Date
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$450
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November 2017
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November 2022
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$400
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August 2020
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August 2025
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$150
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November 2022
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November 2027
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The swaps help protect our outstanding variable rate borrowings from future interest rate volatility. The fixed interest rates on the swaps range from 2.07% to 3.11%. The Company had a liability of $63 million for the fair value of the interest rate swaps at March 31, 2021. The fair value of these interest rate swaps is subject to movements in LIBOR and will fluctuate in future periods. We have estimated that a 0.25% increase in the LIBOR yield curve would increase the fair value of our interest rate swaps by $8 million and would decrease interest expense. While these results may be used as a benchmark, they should not be viewed as a forecast of future results.