Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-115742
333-115742-01
PROSPECTUS
$150,000,000
K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Guaranteed by
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Offer to Exchange All Outstanding
63/8% Senior Notes due 2014
($150,000,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding)
for 63/8% Senior Notes due 2014, which have been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933
The Exchange Offer Will Expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on July 7, 2004, Unless Extended
The Exchange Offer: | ||
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We will exchange all outstanding notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn for an equal principal amount of exchange notes that are freely tradeable. |
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You may withdraw tenders of outstanding notes at any time prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer. |
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The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 7, 2004, unless extended. We do not currently intend to extend the expiration date. |
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The exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
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We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer. |
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The Exchange Notes: |
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The exchange notes are being offered in order to satisfy some of our obligations under the registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the placement of the outstanding notes. |
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The terms of the exchange notes to be issued in the exchange offer are substantially identical to the outstanding notes, except that the exchange notes will be freely tradeable. |
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Resales of Exchange Notes: |
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The exchange notes may be sold in the over-the counter market, in negotiated transactions or through a combination of such methods. We do not plan to list the exchange notes on a national market. |
You should consider carefully the "Risk Factors" beginning on page 11 of this prospectus before participating in the exchange offer.
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of those exchange notes. The letter of transmittal states that, by so acknowledging and delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for outstanding notes where the outstanding notes were acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
We have agreed that, for a period of up to 180 days after the consummation of this exchange offer, we will use our best efforts to make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with the resale of exchange notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the exchange notes to be distributed in the exchange offer or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus is dated June 2, 2004.
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Prospectus Summary | 1 | |
Risk Factors | 11 | |
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | 19 | |
Use of Proceeds | 20 | |
Capitalization | 21 | |
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data | 22 | |
The Exchange Offer | 23 | |
Description of the Notes | 35 | |
Exchange Offer; Registration Rights | 68 | |
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form | 70 | |
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer | 73 | |
Plan of Distribution | 74 | |
Legal Matters | 75 | |
Experts | 75 | |
Available Information | 75 | |
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference | 75 |
The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies. No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances create an implication that there has been no change in our affairs or that of our subsidiaries since the date hereof.
In this prospectus and except as the context otherwise requires or indicates:
This prospectus includes "forward-looking statements" including, in particular, the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in, or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, (1) changes in general and local economic and business conditions, (2) weather conditions, (3) changes in market conditions, (4) changes in home prices and sales activities in the California, New Jersey, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland markets, (5) government regulation, including regulations concerning development of land, the homebuilding process and the environment, (6) fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of mortgage financing, (7) shortages in and price fluctuations of raw materials and labor, (8) the availability and cost of suitable land and improved lots, (9) levels of competition, (10) availability of financing to the Company, (11) utility shortages and outages or rate fluctuations, (12) geopolitical risks, terrorist acts and other acts of war and (13) other factors described in detail in Hovnanian's Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2003. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements and risk factors contained throughout this prospectus.
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The following summary contains information about Hovnanian and the exchange offer. It does not contain all of the information that may be important to you in making a decision to participate in the exchange offer. For a more complete understanding of Hovnanian and the exchange offer, we urge you to read this prospectus carefully, including the "Risk Factors" section and our financial statements and the notes to those statements incorporated by reference herein.
The Company
We design, construct and market high quality single-family detached homes and attached condominium apartments and townhouses in planned residential developments and are one of the nation's largest builders of residential homes. Originally founded in 1959 by Kevork Hovnanian, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. was incorporated in New Jersey in 1967 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1982. Since the incorporation of our predecessor company, we have delivered in excess of 167,000 homes, including 11,531 homes in fiscal 2003. The Company consists of two operating groups: homebuilding and financial services. Our financial services group provides mortgage loans and title services to our homebuilding customers.
As of January 31, 2004, we offered homes for sale in 288 communities in 25 markets throughout the United States, and as of October 31, 2003, we offered homes for sale in 257 communities in 23 markets throughout the United States. We primarily market and build homes for first-time buyers, first-time and second-time move-up buyers, luxury buyers, active adult buyers and empty nesters. We offer a variety of home styles at base prices ranging from $70,000 to $973,000 with an average sales price, including options, in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 and in fiscal 2003 of $261,000 and $271,000, respectively.
Our operations span all significant aspects of the home-buying processfrom design, construction and sale to mortgage origination and title services.
The following is a summary of our growth history:
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of Summit Homes and entered the greater metro Phoenix, Arizona market through our acquisition of Great Western Homes.
Hovnanian markets and builds homes that are constructed on-site in four regions which, as of January 31, 2004, included 18 of the nation's strongest housing markets. These four regions are the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and West.
Our geographic breakdown of markets by region is:
We employed approximately 3,538 and 3,249 full and part-time associates as of January 31, 2004 and October 31, 2003, respectively.
Our corporate offices are located at 10 Highway 35, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701, our telephone number is (732) 747-7800, and our Internet website address is www.khov.com. Information on our website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus.
Summary of the Terms of the Exchange Offer
On March 18, 2004, K. Hovnanian completed a private offering of the outstanding notes. References to the "notes" in this prospectus are references to both the outstanding notes and the exchange notes offered hereby.
General |
In connection with the private offering of the outstanding notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes in which the Issuer and the guarantors agreed, among other things, to deliver this prospectus to you and to complete an exchange offer for the outstanding notes within the time period specified in the registration rights agreement. See "Exchange Offer; Registration Rights." |
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You are entitled to exchange in the exchange offer your outstanding notes for exchange notes, which are identical in all material respects to the outstanding notes except: |
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the exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the "Securities Act"; |
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the exchange notes are not entitled to certain registration rights which are applicable to the outstanding notes under the registration rights agreement; and |
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certain additional interest rate provisions are no longer applicable. |
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Outstanding Notes |
$150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 63/8% Senior Notes due 2014, which were issued on March 18, 2004, and which we refer to in this prospectus as the "outstanding notes." |
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Exchange Notes |
$150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 63/8% Senior Notes due 2014, which we are offering in this exchange offer and which we refer to in this prospectus as the "exchange notes." |
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The Exchange Offer |
We are offering to exchange up to $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our exchange notes, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for a like aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes. You may only exchange outstanding notes in integral multiples of $1,000. |
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Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified conditions, we will exchange the exchange notes for all outstanding notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. We will cause the exchange to be effected promptly after the expiration of the exchange offer. |
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Upon completion of the exchange offer, there may be no market for the outstanding notes and you may have difficulty selling them. |
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Resales |
Based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the "SEC," set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties referred to below, we believe that you may resell or otherwise transfer exchange notes issued in the exchange offer without complying with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, if: |
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(1) |
you are not an "affiliate" of K. Hovnanian or any guarantor of the notes within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; |
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(2) |
you are not engaged in, do not intend to engage in, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes; and |
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you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business. |
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If you are an affiliate of K. Hovnanian or the guarantors of the notes, or are engaging in, or intend to engage in, or have any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes, or are not acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business: |
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(1) |
you cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC enunciated in Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991), Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the SEC's letter to Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993), or similar no-action letters; and |
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in the absence of an exception from the position of the SEC stated in (1) above, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale or other transfer of the exchange notes. |
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If you are a broker-dealer and receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding notes that you acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, you must acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale or other transfer of the exchange notes that you receive in the exchange offer. See "Plan of Distribution." |
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Expiration Date |
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 7, 2004 unless extended by us. We do not currently intend to extend the expiration date. |
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Withdrawal |
You may withdraw the tender of your outstanding notes at any time prior to the expiration date. We will return to you any of your outstanding notes that are not accepted for any reason for exchange, without expense to you, promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer. |
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Interest on the Exchange Notes and the Outstanding Notes |
Each exchange note will bear interest at the rate per annum set forth on the cover page of this prospectus from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the outstanding notes or, if no interest has been paid on the outstanding notes, from March 18, 2004. The interest will be payable semi-annually on each June 15 and December 15, beginning June 15, 2004. No interest will be paid on outstanding notes following their acceptance for exchange. |
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Conditions to the Exchange Offer |
The exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, which we may assert or waive. See "The Exchange OfferConditions to the Exchange Offer." |
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Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes |
If you wish to participate in the exchange offer, you must complete, sign and date the accompanying letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, according to the instructions contained in this prospectus and the letter of transmittal. You must then mail or otherwise deliver the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, together with the outstanding notes and any other required documents, to the exchange agent at the address set forth on the cover page of the letter of transmittal. If you hold outstanding notes through The Depository Trust Company, or "DTC," and wish to participate in the exchange offer, you must comply with the Automated Tender Offer Program procedures of DTC, by which you will agree to be bound by the letter of transmittal. By signing, or agreeing to be bound by, the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things: |
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(1) |
you are not an "affiliate" of K. Hovnanian or the guarantors of the notes within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; |
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(2) |
you are not engaged in, do not intend to engage in, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes; |
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(3) |
you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business; and |
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(4) |
if you are a broker-dealer and receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding notes that you acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale or other transfer of such exchange notes. |
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If you are an affiliate of K. Hovnanian or the guarantors of the notes or are engaging in, or intend to engage in, or have any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes, or are not acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business, you cannot rely on the applicable positions and interpretations of the staff of the SEC and you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale or other transfer of the exchange notes. |
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Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners |
If you are a beneficial owner of outstanding notes that are held in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender those outstanding notes in the exchange offer, you should contact such person promptly and instruct such person to tender those outstanding notes on your behalf. |
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Guaranteed Delivery Procedures |
If you wish to tender your outstanding notes and your outstanding notes are not immediately available or you cannot deliver your outstanding notes, the letter of transmittal and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal or you cannot comply with the DTC procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the expiration date, you must tender your outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in this prospectus under "The Exchange OfferGuaranteed Delivery Procedures." |
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Effect on Holders of Outstanding Notes |
In connection with the sale of the outstanding notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes, which grants the holders of outstanding notes registration rights. By making this exchange offer, we will have fulfilled most of our obligations under the registration rights agreement. Accordingly, we will not be obligated to pay additional interest as described in the registration rights agreement. If you do not tender your outstanding notes in the exchange offer, you will continue to be entitled to all the rights and limitations applicable to the outstanding notes as set forth in the indenture, except we will not have any further obligation to you to provide for the registration of the outstanding notes under the registration rights agreement and we will not be obligated to pay additional interest as described in the registration rights agreement, except in certain limited circumstances. See "Exchange Offer; Registration Rights." |
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To the extent that outstanding notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the trading market for outstanding notes could be adversely affected. |
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Consequences of Failure to Exchange |
All untendered outstanding notes will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the outstanding notes and in the indenture. In general, the outstanding notes may not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. We do not currently anticipate that we will register the outstanding notes under the Securities Act. |
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Certain Income Tax Considerations |
The exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer will not be a taxable event for United Stated federal income tax purposes. See "United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer." |
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Use of Proceeds |
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of exchange notes in the exchange offer. |
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Exchange Agent |
Wachovia Bank, National Association, whose address and telephone number is set forth in the section captioned "The Exchange OfferExchange Agent" of this prospectus, is the exchange agent for the exchange offer. |
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Summary of the Terms of the Exchange Notes
The terms of the exchange notes are identical in all material respects to the terms of the outstanding notes, except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreement. The exchange notes will evidence the same debt as the outstanding notes. The exchange notes will be governed by the same indenture under which the outstanding notes were issued and the exchange notes and the outstanding notes will constitute a single class and series of notes for all purposes under the indenture.
Issuer |
K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. |
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Notes Offered |
We are offering $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 63/8% Senior Notes due 2014. |
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Maturity Date |
December 15, 2014. |
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Interest Payment Dates |
Each June 15 and December 15, beginning June 15, 2004. |
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Optional Redemption |
We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, if any, plus a Make-Whole Amount. See "Description of the NotesRedemption." |
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Change of Control |
Upon a change of control as described in the section "Description of the Notes," you will have the right to require us to purchase some or all of the notes at 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. We can give no assurance that, upon such an event, we will have sufficient funds to purchase any of the notes. |
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Guarantees |
The guarantors are Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., the parent corporation of the Issuer, and most of the parent's existing and future restricted subsidiaries. If the Issuer cannot make payments on the notes when they are due, the guarantors must make the payments instead. As of the date of this prospectus, our title insurance and home mortgage subsidiaries and certain joint ventures are not guarantors or restricted subsidiaries. |
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Ranking |
The outstanding notes are, and the exchange notes will be, general obligations and, the outstanding notes are not, and the exchange notes will not be, secured by any collateral. Your right to payment under the notes will be: |
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junior to the rights of secured creditors to the extent of their security in our assets; |
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equal with the rights of creditors under other unsecured senior debt, including our revolving credit facility and term loan facility; and |
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senior to the rights of creditors under debt that is expressly subordinated to the notes. |
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The guarantee of each of the guarantors of the outstanding notes is not, and, of the exchange notes, will not be, secured by any collateral. Your right to payment under any guarantee will be: |
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junior to the rights of secured creditors to the extent of their security in the guarantors' assets; |
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equal with the rights of creditors under the guarantors' other unsecured senior debt; and |
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senior to the rights of creditors under the guarantors' debt that is expressly subordinated to the guarantee. |
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See the section "Description of the NotesRanking." |
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At January 31, 2004, assuming that we had completed the offering of the outstanding notes and the application of the net proceeds thereof at that date, the Issuer and the guarantors would have had approximately $1,065.7 million of debt (including the outstanding notes) outstanding, $48.4 million of which would have been secured by certain of our real estate assets and $300.0 million of which would have been subordinated to the outstanding notes. |
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Certain Covenants |
The indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability and the ability of the guarantors to: |
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borrow money; |
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pay dividends on our common stock; |
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repurchase our common stock; |
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make investments in subsidiaries that are not restricted; |
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sell certain assets; |
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incur certain liens; |
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merge with or into other companies; and |
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enter into certain transactions with our affiliates. |
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For more details, see the section "Description of the NotesCertain Covenants." |
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If the notes receive an investment grade rating by both Moody's and Standard & Poor's, then our obligation to comply with certain of the covenants will cease for so long as the notes continue to be rated investment grade. See "Description of the NotesLimitation of Applicability of Certain Covenants if Notes Rated Investment Grade." |
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Absence of a Public Market |
The exchange notes will generally be freely transferable (subject to certain restrictions discussed in "Exchange Offer; Registration Rights") but will be a new issue of securities for which there will not initially be a market. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the exchange notes. The initial purchasers in the private offering of the outstanding notes have advised us that they currently intend to make a market for the exchange notes, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any such market making activities at any time without notice. We do not intend to apply for a listing of the exchange notes on any securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system. |
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Use of Proceeds |
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offer. For a description of the use of proceeds from the private offering of the outstanding notes, see "Use of Proceeds." |
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In addition to the other information included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, you should carefully consider the following risk factors before you decide to participate in the exchange offer.
Risks Related to the Exchange Offer
If you choose not to exchange your outstanding notes in the exchange offer, the transfer restrictions currently applicable to your outstanding notes will remain in force and the market price of your outstanding notes could decline.
If you do not exchange your outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer, then you will continue to be subject to the transfer restrictions on the outstanding notes as set forth in the offering circular distributed in connection with the private offering of the outstanding notes. In general, the outstanding notes may not be offered or sold unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the outstanding notes under the Securities Act. You should refer to "Prospectus SummarySummary of the Terms of the Exchange Offer" and "The Exchange Offer" for information about how to tender your outstanding notes.
The tender of outstanding notes under the exchange offer will reduce the principal amount of the outstanding notes outstanding, which may have an adverse effect upon, and increase the volatility of, the market price of the outstanding notes due to reduction in liquidity.
You must follow the exchange offer procedures carefully in order to receive the exchange notes.
If you do not follow the procedures described herein, you will not receive any exchange notes. The exchange notes will be issued to you in exchange for outstanding notes only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of:
If you want to tender your outstanding notes in exchange for exchange notes, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. No one is under any obligation to give you notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of outstanding notes for exchange. For additional information, see the section captioned "The Exchange Offer" in this prospectus.
Risks Relating to Our Business
Leverage places burdens on our ability to comply with the terms of our indebtedness, may restrict our ability to operate, may prevent us from fulfilling our obligations and may adversely affect our financial condition.
We have a significant amount of debt. On a pro forma basis after giving effect to the offering of the outstanding notes and the application of the net proceeds thereof:
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Our amount of debt could have important consequences to you. For example, it could:
Our ability to meet our debt service and other obligations will depend upon our future performance. We are engaged in businesses that are substantially affected by changes in economic cycles. Our revenues and earnings vary with the level of general economic activity in the markets we serve. Our businesses are also affected by financial, political, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The factors that affect our ability to generate cash can also affect our ability to raise additional funds for these purposes through the sale of equity securities, the refinancing of debt, or the sale of assets. Changes in prevailing interest rates may affect our ability to meet our debt service obligations, because borrowings under our revolving credit facilities bear interest at floating rates. A higher interest rate on our debt service obligations could result in lower earnings.
Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations and borrowings may not be available to us under our revolving credit facilities in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity, which we may not be able to do on favorable terms or at all.
The indentures governing the notes and our other outstanding debt and our term loan and revolving credit facilities impose restrictions on our operations and activities. The most significant restrictions relate to debt incurrence, sales of assets and cash distributions by us and require us to comply with certain financial covenants listed in those debt and term loan and revolving credit facilities. If we fail to comply with any of these restrictions or covenants, the trustees or the banks, as appropriate, could cause our debt to become due and payable prior to maturity.
The terms of our indentures allow us to incur additional indebtedness.
Under the terms of our indebtedness under our existing indentures, we have the ability, subject to our debt covenants, to incur additional amounts of debt. The incurrence of additional indebtedness could magnify the risks described above.
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The homebuilding industry is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions, real estate markets and weather conditions, which could affect our ability to build homes at prices our customers are willing or able to pay, could reduce profits that may not be recaptured and could result in cancellation of sales contracts.
The homebuilding industry is cyclical, has from time to time experienced significant difficulties and is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions such as:
An oversupply of alternatives to new homes, such as rental properties and used homes, could depress prices and reduce margins for the sale of new homes. We increased our inventory in 2003, which could increase our exposure to this risk as the cycle turns.
Weather conditions and natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and fires can harm the local homebuilding business.
The difficulties described above could cause us to take longer and incur more costs to build our homes. We may not be able to recapture increased costs by raising prices in many cases because we fix our prices up to twelve months in advance of delivery by signing home sales contracts. In addition, some home buyers may cancel or not honor their home sales contracts altogether.
Our success depends on the availability of suitable undeveloped land and improved lots at acceptable prices.
Our success in developing land and in building and selling homes depends in part upon the continued availability of suitable undeveloped land and improved lots at acceptable prices. The availability of undeveloped land and improved lots for purchase at favorable prices depends on a number of factors outside of our control, including the risk of competitive over-bidding on land and lots and restrictive governmental regulation. Should suitable land opportunities become less available, the number of homes we may be able to build and sell would be reduced, which would reduce revenue and profits.
Raw material and labor shortages and price fluctuations could delay or increase the cost of home construction and adversely affect our operating results.
The homebuilding industry has from time to time experienced raw material and labor shortages. In particular, shortages and fluctuations in the price of lumber or in other important raw materials could result in delays in the start or completion of, or increase the cost of, developing one or more of our residential communities. In addition, we contract with subcontractors to construct our homes. Therefore, the timing and quality of our construction depends on the availability, skill and cost of our subcontractors. Delays or cost increases caused by shortages and price fluctuations could harm our operating results, the impact of which may be further affected by our ability to raise sales prices.
Changes in economic and market conditions could result in the sale of homes at a loss or holding land in inventory longer than planned, the cost of which can be significant.
Land inventory risk can be substantial for homebuilders. We must continuously seek and make acquisitions of land for expansion into new markets and for replacement and expansion of land inventory within our current markets. The market value of undeveloped land, buildable lots and
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housing inventories can fluctuate significantly as a result of changing economic and market conditions. In the event of significant changes in economic or market conditions, we may have to sell homes at a loss or hold land in inventory longer than planned. Inventory carrying costs can be significant and can result in losses in a poorly performing project or market.
Home prices and sales activities in the California, New Jersey, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland markets have a large impact on our profitability because we conduct a significant portion of our business in these markets.
We presently conduct a significant portion of our business in the California, New Jersey, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland markets. Home prices and sales activities in these markets, including in some of the markets in which we operate, have declined from time to time, particularly as a result of slow economic growth. Furthermore, precarious economic and budget situations at the state government level, such as that presently existing in California, may adversely affect the market for our homes in those affected areas. If home prices and sales activity decline in one or more of the markets in which we operate, our costs may not decline at all or at the same rate and profits may be reduced.
Because almost all of our customers require mortgage financing, increases in interest rates or the availability of mortgage financing could impair the affordability of our homes, lower demand for our products, limit our marketing effectiveness, and limit our ability to fully realize our backlog.
Virtually all our customers finance their acquisitions through lenders providing mortgage financing. Increases in interest rates or decreases in availability of mortgage financing could lower demand for new homes because of the increased monthly mortgage costs to potential homebuyers. Even if potential customers do not need financing, changes in interest rates and mortgage availability could make it harder for them to sell their existing homes to potential buyers who need financing. This could prevent or limit our ability to attract new customers as well as our ability to fully realize our backlog because our sales contracts generally include a financing contingency. Financing contingencies permit the customer to cancel his obligation in the event mortgage financing at prevailing interest rates, including financing arranged or provided by us, is unobtainable within the period specified in the contract. This contingency period is typically four to eight weeks following the date of execution.
In addition, we believe that the availability of FNMA, FHLMC, FHA and VA mortgage financing is an important factor in marketing many of our homes. Any limitations or restrictions on the availability of those types of financing could reduce our sales.
Homebuilders are subject to a number of federal, local, state and foreign laws and regulations concerning the development of land, the homebuilding process and protection of the environment, which can cause us to incur delays and costs associated with compliance and which can prohibit or restrict our activity in some regions or areas.
We are subject to extensive and complex regulations that affect the development and homebuilding process, including zoning, density and building standards. These regulations often provide broad discretion to the administering governmental authorities. This can delay or increase the cost of development or homebuilding.
We also are subject to a variety of local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations concerning protection of health and the environment. The particular environmental laws which apply to any given community vary greatly according to the community site, the site's environmental conditions and the present and former uses of the site. These environmental laws may result in delays, may cause us to incur substantial compliance, remediation, and/or other costs, and can prohibit or severely restrict development and homebuilding activity in certain environmentally sensitive regions or areas.
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It can be anticipated that increasingly stringent requirements will be imposed on developers and homebuilders in the future. Although we cannot predict the effect of these requirements, they could result in time-consuming and expensive compliance programs and in substantial expenditures, which could cause delays and increase our cost of operations. In addition, the continued effectiveness of permits already granted or approvals already obtained is dependent upon many factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as changes in policies, rules and regulations and their interpretation and application.
We compete on several levels with homebuilders that may have greater sales and financial resources, which could hurt future earnings.
We compete not only for home buyers but also for desirable properties, financing, raw materials and skilled labor often within larger subdivisions designed, planned and developed by other homebuilders. Our competitors include other local regional and national homebuilders, some of which have greater sales and financial resources.
The competitive conditions in the homebuilding industry could result in:
Any of these problems could increase costs and/or lower profit margins.
We may have difficulty in obtaining the additional financing required to operate and develop our business.
Our operations require significant amounts of cash, and we will be required to seek additional capital, whether from sales of equity or borrowing more money, for the future growth and development of our business. The terms or availability of additional capital is uncertain. Moreover, the indenture governing the notes and the indentures for our other outstanding debt contain provisions that may restrict the debt we may incur in the future. If we are not successful in obtaining sufficient capital, it could reduce our sales and may hinder our future growth and results of operations.
Our future growth may include additional acquisitions that may not be successfully integrated and may not achieve expected benefits.
Acquisitions have contributed to our growth. We have recently announced several acquisitions or mergers, including the Summit Homes acquisition in Ohio, which closed in April 2003, the Great Western Homes acquisition in Phoenix, Arizona, which closed in August 2003, and the Windward Homes acquisition in Tampa, Florida, which closed in November 2003. In the future, we may acquire other businesses. As a result of these acquisitions, we may need to integrate product lines, dispersed operations and distinct corporate cultures. These integration efforts may not succeed or may distract our management from operating our existing business. Additionally, we may not be able to enhance our earnings as a result of acquisitions. Our failure to successfully manage future acquisitions could harm our operating results.
Utility shortages and outages or rate fluctuations could have an adverse effect on our operations.
In prior years, the areas in which we operate in California have experienced power shortages, including periods without electrical power, as well as significant fluctuations in utility costs. We may incur additional costs and may not be able to complete construction on a timely basis if such power shortages/outages and utility rate fluctuations continue. Furthermore, power shortages and outages,
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such as the blackout that recently occurred in the Northeast, and rate fluctuations may adversely affect the regional economies in which we operate, which may reduce demand for our homes. Our operations may be adversely affected if further rate fluctuations and/or power shortages and outages occur in California, the Northeast or in our other markets.
Geopolitical risks and market disruption could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Geopolitical events, such as the aftermath of the war with Iraq and the continuing occupation of Iraq, may have a substantial impact on the economy and the housing market. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 had an impact on our business and the occurrence of similar events in the future cannot be ruled out. The war and occupation, terrorism and related geopolitical risks have created many economic and political uncertainties, some of which may have additional material adverse effects on the U.S. economy, our customers and, in turn, our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Related to the Notes
After completion of this offering, we will have a significant amount of indebtedness and we may incur additional indebtedness.
At January 31, 2004, assuming we had completed the offering of the outstanding notes and the application of the net proceeds thereof at that date, the Issuer and the guarantors would have had approximately $1,065.7 million of debt (including the outstanding notes) outstanding. We and our subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness in the future. Subject to certain conditions, the terms of the indenture under which the outstanding notes were, and the exchange notes will be, issued and our other existing debt instruments do not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness. If indebtedness is added to our current debt levels, the risks related to the notes and our indebtedness generally that we and our subsidiaries now face could intensify.
The notes are unsecured obligations.
The outstanding notes are not, and the exchange notes will not be, secured by any of our assets, and the outstanding notes are, and the exchanges notes will be, subordinated to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness. Accordingly, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or any similar proceeding, holders of the notes will be entitled to payment only after the holders of any of our secured indebtedness have been paid. At January 31, 2004, assuming we had completed the offering of the outstanding notes and the application of the net proceeds thereof at that date, the Issuer and the guarantors would have had approximately $48.4 million of secured indebtedness outstanding. Subject to certain limits in the indenture under which the outstanding notes were, and the exchange notes will be, issued and our other existing debt instruments, we will be able to incur additional secured obligations.
The notes will be structurally junior to indebtedness of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.
You will not have any claim as a creditor against any of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, and indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, of those subsidiaries will effectively be senior to your claims against those subsidiaries. At January 31, 2004, our non-guarantor subsidiaries had $117.0 million of outstanding liabilities, including trade payables. In addition, the indenture under which the outstanding notes were, and the exchange notes will be, issued will, subject to certain limitations, permit these subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and does not contain any limitation on the amount of other liabilities, such as trade payables, that may be incurred by these subsidiaries.
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Exercise of Change of Control RightsWe may not have the ability to raise funds necessary to finance any change of control offer required by the indenture.
If a change of control occurs as described in the section "Description of the NotesCertain Covenants," we would be required to offer to purchase your notes at 101% of their principal amount together with all accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. If a purchase offer obligation arises under the indenture governing your notes, a change of control will have also occurred under other indentures governing our debt. Our credit facilities currently provide that certain change of control events will constitute a default and could result in the acceleration of the indebtedness outstanding thereunder. Any of our future debt agreements may contain similar restrictions and provisions. If a purchase offer were required under the indentures for our debt, we may not have sufficient funds to pay the purchase price for all debt that we are required to repurchase or repay. After giving effect to the offering of the outstanding notes, we did not have sufficient funds available to purchase all of such outstanding debt.
An active trading market may not develop for the exchange notes.
We are offering the exchange notes to the holders of the outstanding notes. The exchange notes are a new issue of securities. There is no active public trading market for the exchange notes. We do not intend to apply for listing of the exchange notes on a security exchange. The initial purchasers of the outstanding notes have informed us that they intend to make a market in the exchange notes. However, the initial purchasers may cease their market-making at any time. We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the exchange notes or that the exchange notes will trade as one class with the outstanding notes. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the exchange notes and the market prices quoted for the exchange notes may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for this type of securities and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally. As a consequence, an active trading market may not develop for your exchange notes, you may not be able to sell your exchange notes, or, even if you can sell your exchange notes, you may not be able to sell them at an acceptable price.
Federal and state laws allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and to require you to return payments received from guarantors.
Although you will be direct creditors of the guarantors by virtue of the guarantees, existing or future creditors of any guarantor could avoid or subordinate that guarantor's guarantee under the fraudulent conveyance laws if they were successful in establishing that:
The measures of insolvency for purposes of determining whether a fraudulent conveyance occurred vary depending upon the laws of the relevant jurisdiction and upon the valuation assumptions and
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methodology applied by the court. Generally, however, a company would be considered insolvent for purposes of the foregoing if:
We cannot assure you as to what standard a court would apply in order to determine whether a guarantor was "insolvent" as of the date its guarantee was issued, and we cannot assure you that, regardless of the method of valuation, a court would not determine that any guarantors were insolvent on that date. The subsidiary guarantees could be subject to the claim that, since the guarantees were incurred for the benefit of Hovnanian and the Issuer, and only indirectly for the benefit of the other guarantors, the obligations of the guarantors thereunder were incurred for less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and cumulative effect of accounting changes, plus fixed charges, less interest capitalized. Fixed charges consist of all interest incurred plus the amortization of debt-issuance costs and bond discounts.
The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for Hovnanian for each of the periods indicated.
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Year Ended October 31, |
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Three Months Ended January 31, 2004 |
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2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | 4.9 | 6.7 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 2.9 |
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The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreement that we entered into in connection with the private offering of the outstanding notes. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offer. As consideration for issuing the exchange notes as contemplated in this prospectus, we will receive in exchange a like principal amount of outstanding notes, the terms of which are identical in all material respects to the exchange notes, except that the exchange notes will be registered under the Securities Act and will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreement. The outstanding notes that are surrendered in exchange for the exchange notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be reissued. As a result, the issuance of the exchange notes will not result in any increase or decrease in our capitalization.
We used a portion of the net proceeds from the private offering of the outstanding notes to redeem all of our 91/8% Senior Notes due 2009, and we used the remainder for general corporate purposes.
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The following table sets forth our capitalization as of January 31, 2004 and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the offering of the outstanding notes and the application of the net proceeds thereof. This table should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto and the other financial information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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As of January 31, 2004 |
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Actual |
As Adjusted |
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(unaudited) |
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(Dollars in thousands) |
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Debt (1): | |||||||||
Revolving credit agreement | $ | | $ | | |||||
Term loan | 115,000 | 115,000 | |||||||
Nonrecourse land mortgages | 47,741 | 47,741 | |||||||
Nonrecourse mortgages secured by operating property | 671 | 671 | |||||||
101/2% Senior Notes due 2007 | 138,044 | 138,044 | |||||||
91/8% Senior Notes due 2009 | 150,000 | | |||||||
8% Senior Notes due 2012 | 99,260 | 99,260 | |||||||
63/8% Senior Notes due 2014 | | 150,000 | |||||||
61/2% Senior Notes due 2014 | 215,000 | 215,000 | |||||||
87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 | 150,000 | 150,000 | |||||||
73/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 | 150,000 | 150,000 | |||||||
Total debt | $ | 1,065,716 | $ | 1,065,716 | |||||
Stockholders' Equity: | |||||||||
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued (2) | | | |||||||
Common Stock, Class A, $.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 28,297,576 issued (including 5,145,600 held in treasury) (2) | 283 | 283 | |||||||
Common Stock, Class B, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 7,695,477 issued (including 345,874 held in treasury) (2) | 77 | 77 | |||||||
Paid in capital | 182,699 | 182,699 | |||||||
Retained Earnings (3) | 762,893 | 757,439 | |||||||
Deferred Compensation | | | |||||||
Treasury stock at cost | (47,028 | ) | (47,028 | ) | |||||
Total stockholders' equity | 898,924 | 893,470 | |||||||
Total capitalization | $ | 1,964,640 | $ | 1,959,186 | |||||
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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected historical consolidated financial data for each of the fiscal years ended October 31, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
The following selected historical consolidated financial data for the 3-month periods ended January 31, 2004 and 2003 have been derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals and deferrals, which management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and the results of operations for these periods. Operating results for the 3-month period ended January 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year ending October 31, 2004.
You should read the following data in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein, for the impact of our 2003, 2002 and 2001 acquisitions on our operating results, and with the consolidated financial statements, related notes, and other financial information incorporated by reference herein.
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Three Months Ended January 31, |
Year Ended October 31, |
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2004 |
2003 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
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(unaudited) |
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(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) |
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Income Statement Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 775,215 | $ | 627,635 | $ | 3,201,857 | $ | 2,551,106 | $ | 1,741,990 | $ | 1,135,559 | $ | 946,414 | ||||||||
Expenses | 682,520 | 556,499 | 2,790,339 | 2,325,376 | 1,635,636 | 1,083,741 | 897,133 | |||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 92,695 | 71,136 | 411,518 | 225,720 | 106,354 | 51,818 | 49,281 | |||||||||||||||
State and federal income taxes | 34,984 | 26,375 | 154,138 | 88,034 | 42,668 | 18,655 | 19,206 | |||||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 57,711 | $ | 44,761 | $ | 257,380 | $ | 137,696 | $ | 63,686 | $ | 33,163 | $ | 30,075 | ||||||||
Per Share Data |
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Basic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 1.85 | $ | 1.43 | $ | 8.31 | $ | 4.53 | $ | 2.38 | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.41 | ||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 31,215 | 31,371 | 30,960 | 30,405 | 26,810 | 21,933 | 21,404 | |||||||||||||||
Assuming Dilution: |
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Net Income | $ | 1.74 | $ | 1.35 | $ | 7.85 | $ | 4.28 | $ | 2.29 | $ | 1.50 | $ | 1.39 | ||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 33,235 | 33,080 | 32,769 | 32,155 | 27,792 | 22,043 | 21,612 | |||||||||||||||
Balance sheet data |
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Total assets | $ | 2,648,751 | $ | 1,702,479 | $ | 2,332,371 | $ | 1,678,128 | $ | 1,064,258 | $ | 873,541 | $ | 712,861 | ||||||||
Mortgages, term loans and notes payable | $ | 270,402 | $ | 175,307 | $ | 326,216 | $ | 215,365 | $ | 111,795 | $ | 78,206 | $ | 110,228 | ||||||||
Senior notes and senior subordinated notes | $ | 902,304 | $ | 546,514 | $ | 687,166 | $ | 546,390 | $ | 396,544 | $ | 396,430 | $ | 250,000 | ||||||||
Stockholders' equity | $ | 898,924 | $ | 607,288 | $ | 819,712 | $ | 562,549 | $ | 375,646 | $ | 263,359 | $ | 236,426 |
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General
K. Hovnanian hereby offers to exchange a like principal amount of exchange notes for any or all outstanding notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and accompanying letter of transmittal. We refer to this offer as the "exchange offer." You may tender some or all of your outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer.
As of the date of this prospectus, $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes is outstanding. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is first being sent to all holders of outstanding notes known to us on or about June 7, 2004. K. Hovnanian's obligation to accept outstanding notes for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer is subject to certain conditions set forth under "Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. K. Hovnanian currently expects that each of the conditions will be satisfied and that no waivers will be necessary.
Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer
We entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes in which we agreed, under certain circumstances, to file a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange the outstanding notes for exchange notes by June 16, 2004. We also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause such offer to be consummated on the earliest practicable date after the registration statement has become effective but in no event later than 40 business days thereafter. The exchange notes will have terms substantially identical to the terms of the outstanding notes, except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreement. The outstanding notes were issued on March 18, 2004.
Under the circumstances set forth below, we will use our reasonable best efforts to cause the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, to declare effective a shelf registration statement with respect to the resale of the outstanding notes within the time periods specified in the registration rights agreement and to keep the shelf registration statement effective for up to two years after the effective date of the shelf registration statement. These circumstances include:
If we fail to comply with certain obligations under the registration rights agreement, we will be required to pay additional interest to holders of the outstanding notes and the exchange notes required to be registered on a shelf registration statement. Please read the section "Exchange Offer; Registration Rights" for more details regarding the registration rights agreement.
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Each holder of outstanding notes that wishes to exchange their outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer will be required to make the following written representations:
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding notes, where the broker-dealer acquired the outstanding notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
Resale of Exchange Notes
Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties referred to below, we believe that you may resell or otherwise transfer exchange notes issued in the exchange offer without complying with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:
If you are an affiliate of K. Hovnanian or any guarantor, or are engaging in, or intend to engage in, or have any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes, or are not acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business:
This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, for resale or for other retransfer of exchange notes only as specifically set forth in this prospectus. With regard to broker-dealers, only broker-dealers that acquired the outstanding notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding notes, where such outstanding notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. Please read "Plan of Distribution" for more details regarding the transfer of exchange notes.
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Terms of the Exchange Offer
On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange in the exchange offer outstanding notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration date. Outstanding notes may only be tendered in multiples of $1,000. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of exchange notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding notes surrendered in the exchange offer.
The form and terms of the exchange notes will be substantially identical to the form and terms of the outstanding notes, except that the exchange notes will be registered under the Securities Act and will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreement. The exchange notes will evidence the same debt as the outstanding notes. The exchange notes will be issued under and entitled to the benefits of the same indenture under which the outstanding notes were issued and the exchange notes and the outstanding notes will constitute a single class and series of notes for all purposes under the indenture. For a description of the indenture, see "Description of the Notes."
The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes being tendered for exchange.
As of the date of this prospectus, $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes is outstanding. This prospectus and a letter of transmittal are being sent to all registered holders of outstanding notes. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of outstanding notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.
We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreement, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Outstanding notes that are not tendered for exchange in the exchange offer will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest and will be entitled to the rights and benefits that such holders have under the indenture relating to such holders' outstanding notes, except for any rights under the registration rights agreement that by their terms terminate upon the consummation of the exchange offer.
We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered outstanding notes when we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the exchange notes from us and delivering exchange notes to holders. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement, we expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer and to refuse to accept the occurrence of any of the conditions specified below under "Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
Holders who tender outstanding notes in the exchange offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of outstanding notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It is important that you read "Fees and Expenses" below for more details regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.
Expiration Date; Extensions, Amendments
As used in this prospectus, the term "expiration date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 7, 2004. However, if we, in our sole discretion, extend the period of time for which the exchange offer is open, the term "expiration date" will mean the latest time and date to which we shall have extended the expiration of the exchange offer.
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To extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open, we will notify the exchange agent of any extension, followed by notification to the registered holders of the outstanding notes no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion:
Any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice to the registered holders of the outstanding notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine to constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose the amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders of outstanding notes of that amendment.
Conditions to the Exchange Offer
Despite any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue exchange notes in exchange for, any outstanding notes, and we may terminate or amend the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before accepting any outstanding notes for exchange if:
In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the outstanding notes of any holder that has not made to us:
We expressly reserve the right at any time or at various times to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. Consequently, we may delay acceptance of any outstanding notes by giving oral or written notice of such extension to their holders. During any such extensions, all outstanding notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer and we may accept them for exchange. We will return any outstanding notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to their tendering holder as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.
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We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer and to reject for exchange any outstanding notes not previously accepted for exchange upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the exchange offer specified above. We will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the holders of the outstanding notes as promptly as practicable. In the case of any extension, such notice will be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.
These conditions are for our sole benefit, and we may assert them regardless of the circumstances that may give rise to them or waive them in whole or in part at any or at various times in our sole discretion. If we fail at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights, this failure will not constitute a waiver of such right. Each such right will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times.
Procedures for Tendering
Only a holder of outstanding notes may tender their outstanding notes in the exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must comply with either of the following:
In addition, either:
To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive any physical delivery of the letter of transmittal and other required documents at the address set forth below under "Exchange Agent" prior to the expiration date.
A tender to us that is not withdrawn prior to the expiration date constitutes an agreement between us and the tendering holder upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.
The method of delivery of outstanding notes, letter of transmittal, and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at the holder's election and risk. Rather than mail these items, we recommend that holders use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, holders should allow sufficient time to assure timely delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date. Holders should not send letters of transmittal or certificates representing outstanding notes to us. Holders may request that their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees effect the above transactions for them.
If you are a beneficial owner whose outstanding notes are held in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee and you wish to participate in the exchange offer, you should promptly contact such party and instruct such person to tender outstanding notes on your behalf.
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You must make these arrangements or follow these procedures before completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your outstanding notes.
Signatures on the letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the NASD, a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or another "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17A(d)-15 under the Exchange Act unless the outstanding notes surrendered for exchange are tendered:
If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder of any outstanding notes listed on the outstanding notes, such outstanding notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power. The bond power must be signed by the registered holder as the registered holder's name appears on the outstanding notes and an eligible guarantor institution must guarantee the signature on the bond power.
If the letter of transmittal or any certificates representing outstanding notes, or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, those persons should also indicate when signing and, unless waived by us, they should also submit evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to so act.
Book-Entry Delivery Procedures
Promptly after the date of this prospectus, the exchange agent will establish an account with respect to the outstanding notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer. Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's systems may make book-entry delivery of the outstanding notes by causing DTC to transfer those outstanding notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's procedures for such transfer. To be timely, book-entry delivery of outstanding notes requires receipt of a confirmation of a book-entry transfer, a "book-entry confirmation," prior to the expiration date. In addition, although delivery of outstanding notes may be effected through book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC, the letter of transmittal or a manually signed facsimile thereof, together with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, or an "agent's message," as defined below, in connection with a book-entry transfer, must, in any case, be delivered or transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at its address set forth on the cover page of the letter of transmittal prior to the expiration date to receive exchange notes for tendered outstanding notes, or the guaranteed delivery procedure described below must be complied with. Tender will not be deemed made until such documents are received by the exchange agent. Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent. Holders of outstanding notes who are unable to deliver confirmation of the book-entry tender of their outstanding notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC or all other documents required by the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration date must tender their outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
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Tender of Outstanding Notes Held Through The Depository Trust Company
The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's system may use DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program to tender. Participants in the program may, instead of physically completing and signing the letter of transmittal and delivering it to the exchange, electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer by causing DTC to transfer the outstanding notes to the exchange agent in accordance with DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an agent's message to the exchange agent. The term "agent's message" means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, which states that:
Acceptance of Exchange Notes
In all cases, we will issue exchange notes for outstanding notes that we have accepted for exchange under the exchange offer only after the exchange agent timely receives:
By tendering outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer, each holder will represent to us that, among other things:
If the holder is an affiliate of K. Hovnanian or any guarantor, or is engaging in, or intends to engage in, or has any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes, or is not acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of its business:
In addition, each broker-dealer that is to receive exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding notes must represent that such outstanding notes were acquired by that broker-dealer
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as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus that meets the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. See "Plan of Distribution."
We will interpret the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the letter of transmittal and the instructions to the letter of transmittal, and will resolve all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance of outstanding notes tendered for exchange. Our determinations in this regard will be final and binding on all parties. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all tenders of any particular outstanding notes not properly tendered or to not accept any particular outstanding notes if the acceptance might, in our or our counsel's judgment, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the exchange offer as to any particular outstanding notes either before or after the expiration date, including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder who seeks to tender outstanding notes in the exchange offer.
Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of outstanding notes for exchange must be cured within a reasonable period of time as we determine. Neither we, the exchange agent, nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of outstanding notes for exchange, nor will any of them incur any liability for any failure to give notification. Any outstanding notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the exchange agent to the tendering holder, without cost to the holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable after the expiration date.
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures
Holders wishing to tender their outstanding notes but whose outstanding notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their outstanding notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent or comply with the applicable procedures under DTC's Automatic Tender Offer Program prior to the expiration date may still tender if:
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Withdrawal Rights
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, holders of outstanding notes may withdraw their tender of outstanding notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective:
Any notice of withdrawal must:
If certificates for outstanding notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange agent, then, prior to the release of such certificates, the withdrawing holder must also submit:
If outstanding notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn outstanding notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of the facility. We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, and eligibility, including time of receipt, of notices of withdrawal, and our determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any outstanding notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer. Any outstanding notes that have been tendered for exchange but that are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to their holder, without cost to the holder or, in the case of book-entry transfer, will be credited to an account maintained with DTC, as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. Properly withdrawn outstanding notes may be retendered by following the procedures described under "Procedures for Tendering" above at any time on or prior to the expiration date.
Exchange Agent
Wachovia Bank, National Association has been appointed as the exchange agent for the exchange offer. Wachovia Bank, National Association also acts as trustee under the indenture governing the outstanding notes, which is the same indenture that will govern the exchange notes. You should direct all executed letters of transmittal and all questions and requests for assistance, for additional copies of
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this prospectus or the letter of transmittal, or for notices of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent addressed as follows:
Delivery to: Wachovia Bank, National Association, Exchange Agent
By Mail: |
By Overnight Mail or Courier Delivery: |
By Hand: |
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Wachovia Bank, N.A. Attn: Marsha Rice Corporate Trust Operations Reorg. 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.3C3 Charlotte, NC 28288-1153 |
Wachovia Bank, N.A. Attn: Marsha Rice Corporate Trust Operations Reorg. 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.3C3 Charlotte, NC 28262 |
Wachovia Bank, N.A. Attn: Marsha Rice Corporate Trust Operations Reorg. 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.3C3 Charlotte, NC 28288-1153 |
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By Facsimile Transmission: (704) 590-7628 |
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Confirm by Telephone: (704) 590-7413 |
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For Information: (704) 590-7413 |
IF YOU DELIVER THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMIT INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, THAT DELIVERY OR THOSE INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE.
Fees and Expenses
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation is being made by mail by the exchange agent. We may make additional solicitations by facsimile, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and our affiliates.
We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payment to broker-dealers or others for soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
We will pay the estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer. The expenses are estimated in the aggregate to be approximately $138,000. They include:
Accounting Treatment
We will record the exchange notes in our accounting records at the same carrying value as the outstanding notes, which is the aggregate principal amount as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes upon the consummation of the exchange offer. We will capitalize the expenses of the exchange offer and amortize them over the life of the notes.
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Transfer Taxes
We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of outstanding notes under the exchange offer. The tendering holder, however, will be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if:
If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed to that tendering holder.
Holders who tender their outstanding notes for exchange will not be required to pay any transfer taxes. However, holders who instruct us to register exchange notes in the name of, or request that outstanding notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offer be returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be required to pay any applicable transfer tax.
Consequences of Failure to Exchange
Holders of outstanding notes who do not exchange their outstanding notes for exchange notes under the exchange offer will remain subject to the restrictions on transfer of such outstanding notes:
In general, you may not offer or sell the outstanding notes unless they are registered under the Securities Act or if the offer or sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the outstanding notes under the Securities Act. Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC, exchange notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by their holders without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that:
Any holder who tenders outstanding notes in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the exchange notes:
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interpreted in the SEC's letter to Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993), or similar no-action letters; and
Other
Participating in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.
We may in the future seek to acquire untendered outstanding notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plans to acquire any outstanding notes that are not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered outstanding notes.
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In this section, references to the "Company" mean Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and do not include any of its subsidiaries or K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation; references to the "Issuer," "us," "we" or "our" mean K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.; and references to the "Notes" mean the outstanding notes and the exchange notes, collectively.
The Issuer issued the outstanding notes, and will issue the exchange notes described in this prospectus, under an indenture, dated as of March 18, 2004 (the "Indenture"), among the Issuer, the Company, the other guarantors party thereto and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the Notes. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), as in effect on the date of the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and prospective participants in the exchange offer should refer to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. The form and terms of the exchange notes and the outstanding notes are identical in all material respects, except that the exchange notes will be registered under the Securities Act and will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreement.
This description of the Notes contains definitions of terms, including those defined under the heading "Definitions of Certain Terms Used in the Indenture." Capitalized terms that are used herein but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
Any outstanding notes that remain outstanding after consummation of this exchange offer and the exchange notes will constitute a single series of debt securities under the Indenture. Holders of outstanding notes who do not exchange their notes in this exchange offer will vote together with the holders of exchange notes for all relevant purposes under the Indenture. Accordingly, when determining whether the required holders have given notice, consent or waiver or taken any other action permitted under the Indenture, any outstanding notes that are not exchanged pursuant to the exchange offer will be aggregated with the exchange notes. All references herein to specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding shall be deemed to mean, at any time after this exchange offer is consummated, percentages in aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes and exchange notes outstanding.
General
The Notes will bear interest from March 18, 2004 at the rate per annum shown on the cover page of this prospectus, payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2004, to Holders of record at the close of business on June 1 or December 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding each such interest payment date. The Notes will mature on December 15, 2014. The exchange notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
The Indenture does not limit the maximum aggregate principal amount of securities that the Issuer may issue thereunder. The Issuer will issue an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million of exchange notes in this offering. The Issuer may issue additional notes of the same series as the outstanding notes and the exchange notes (the "Additional Notes") from time to time after this offering. The Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture would be treated as a single series for all purposes under the Indenture including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemption and offers to purchase. Any offering of Additional Notes under the Indenture is subject to the covenant described below under the caption "Certain CovenantsLimitations on Indebtedness."
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The outstanding notes are, and the exchange notes will be, guaranteed by the Company and each of the Guarantors (together, the "Guarantors") pursuant to the Guarantees (the "Guarantees") described below.
Ranking
The outstanding notes are, and the exchange notes will be, general unsecured obligations of the Issuer and rank senior in right of payment to all future Indebtedness of the Issuer that is, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured Indebtedness of the Issuer that is not so subordinated. Under specified circumstances, K. Hovnanian may be released from its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture. See "Condition for Release of K. Hovnanian." The Guarantees of the outstanding notes are, and the Guarantees of the exchange notes will be, general unsecured obligations of the Guarantors and will rank senior in right of payment to all future Indebtedness of the Guarantors that is, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantees and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured Indebtedness of the Company and the Guarantors that is not so subordinated.
Secured creditors of the Company, the Issuer and the other Guarantors have a claim on the assets which secure the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to such creditors prior to claims of Holders of the Notes against those assets. At January 31, 2004, assuming we had completed the offering of the outstanding notes and the application of the net proceeds thereof at that date, the Issuer and the Guarantors would have had approximately $1,065.7 million (including the outstanding notes) of Indebtedness outstanding, $48.4 million of which would have been secured by certain real estate assets of the Company and the Guarantors and $300.0 million of which would have been subordinated to the Notes.
The Guarantees
The Company and each of the Guarantors will (so long, in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary, as it remains a Restricted Subsidiary) unconditionally guarantee on a joint and several basis all of our obligations under the Notes, including our obligations to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes. The Guarantees will be general unsecured obligations of the Company and the Guarantors and will rank pari passu with all existing and future unsecured Indebtedness of the Guarantors that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantees. The obligations of each Guarantor other than the Company are limited to the maximum amount which, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under the Indenture, will result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Guarantor other than the Company that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount pro rata, based on the net assets of each Guarantor, determined in accordance with GAAP. Except as provided in "Certain Covenants" below, the Company is not restricted from selling or otherwise disposing of any of the Guarantors.
The Indenture requires that each existing and future Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than KHL, Inc., the Issuer (for so long as it remains the Issuer) and K. Hovnanian Poland, sp.z.o.o.) be a Guarantor. The Company is permitted to cause any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Guarantor.
The Indenture provides that if all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor other than the Company or all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor other than the Company is sold (including by consolidation, merger, issuance or otherwise) or disposed of (including by liquidation, dissolution or
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otherwise) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, unless the Company elects otherwise, if any Guarantor other than the Company is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor or a designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or the Person acquiring such assets (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from any of its obligations under the Indenture without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes.
Upon the release of a guarantee by a Guarantor other than the Company under all then outstanding Applicable Debt, at any time after the suspension of certain covenants as provided below under the caption "Limitation of Applicability of Certain Covenants if Notes Rated Investment Grade," the Guarantee of such Guarantor under the Indenture will be released and discharged at such time and no Restricted Subsidiary thereafter acquired or created will be required to be a Guarantor; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any release of any Guarantor done in contemplation of, or in connection with, any cessation of the Notes being rated Investment Grade. In the event that (1) any such released Guarantor thereafter guarantees any Applicable Debt (or if any released guarantee under any Applicable Debt is reinstated or renewed) or (2) the Extinguished Covenants cease to be suspended as described under "Limitation of Applicability of Certain Covenants if Notes Rated Investment Grade" then any such released Guarantor and any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company then existing (other than the Restricted Subsidiaries named in the second preceding paragraph) will Guarantee the Notes on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture.
"Applicable Debt" means all Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) under Credit Facilities or (ii) that is publicly traded (including in the Rule 144A market), including, without limitation, the Issuer's senior notes and senior subordinated notes outstanding on the Issue Date. For purposes of the above provision, Applicable Debt secured by a Lien on such Restricted Subsidiary's Property or issued by such Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary.
An Unrestricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from all obligations under its Guarantee upon notice from the Company to the Trustee to such effect, without any further action required on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
A sale of assets or Capital Stock of a Guarantor may constitute an Asset Disposition subject to the "Limitations on Dispositions of Assets" covenant.
Redemption
The Notes will be redeemable, in whole, at any time, or in part, from time to time, at the option of the Issuer upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of:
The term "Make-Whole Amount" shall mean, in connection with any optional redemption of any Note, the excess, if any, of:
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Treasury Rate (determined on the business day preceding the date of such redemption) plus 0.5%, from the respective dates on which such principal and interest would have been payable if such payment had not been made; over
"Treasury Rate" means, in connection with the calculation of any Make-Whole Amount with respect to any Note, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity, as compiled by and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data), equal to the then remaining maturity of the Note being prepaid. If no maturity exactly corresponds to such maturity, yields for the published maturities occurring prior to and after such maturity most closely corresponding to such maturity shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month.
There is no sinking fund for, or mandatory redemption of, the Notes.
Selection and Notice
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem appropriate and fair.
No Notes of $1,000 in original principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.
If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.
Certain Covenants
The following is a summary of certain covenants that are contained in the Indenture. Such covenants are applicable (unless waived or amended as permitted by the Indenture or their application is suspended as set forth under the caption "Limitation of Applicability of Certain Covenants if Notes Rated Investment Grade") so long as any of the Notes are outstanding or until the Notes are defeased pursuant to provisions described under "Defeasance of Indenture."
Repurchase of Notes upon Change of Control. In the event that there shall occur a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes shall have the right, at such Holder's option, to require the Issuer to purchase all or any part of such Holder's Notes on a date (the "Repurchase Date") that is no later than 90 days after notice of the Change of Control, at 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Repurchase Date.
On or before the thirtieth day after any Change of Control, the Issuer is obligated to mail or cause to be mailed, to all Holders of record of Notes, a notice regarding the Change of Control and the repurchase right. The notice shall state the Repurchase Date, the date by which the repurchase right must be exercised, the price for the Notes and the procedure which the Holder must follow to exercise such right. Substantially simultaneously with mailing of the notice, the Issuer shall cause a copy of such notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
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New York. To exercise such right, the Holder of such Note must deliver, at least ten days prior to the Repurchase Date, written notice to the Issuer (or an agent designated by the Issuer for such purpose) of the Holder's exercise of such right, together with the Note with respect to which the right is being exercised, duly endorsed for transfer; provided, however, that if mandated by applicable law, a Holder may be permitted to deliver such written notice nearer to the Repurchase Date than may be specified by the Issuer.
The Issuer will comply with applicable law, including Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 14e-1 thereunder, if applicable, if the Issuer is required to give a notice of a right of repurchase as a result of a Change of Control.
With respect to any disposition of assets, the phrase "all or substantially all" as used in the Indenture (including as set forth under "Certain CovenantsLimitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets" below) varies according to the facts and circumstances of the subject transaction, has no clearly established meaning under New York law (which governs the Indenture) and is subject to judicial interpretation. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of "all or substantially all" of the assets of the Company, and therefore it may be unclear as to whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether the Holders have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase Notes.
None of the provisions relating to a repurchase upon a Change of Control is waivable by the Board of Directors of the Issuer or the Company. The Company could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including certain recapitalizations of the Company, that would not result in a Change of Control, but would increase the amount of Indebtedness outstanding at such time.
The Indenture will require the payment of money for Notes or portions thereof validly tendered to, and accepted for payment by, the Issuer pursuant to a Change of Control offer. In the event that a Change of Control has occurred under the Indenture, a change of control will also have occurred under the indentures governing the Issuer's 61/2% Senior Notes due 2014, 8% Senior Notes due 2012, 73/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 and 101/2% Senior Notes due 2007 and under the revolving credit facility and the term loan facility. If a Change of Control were to occur, there can be no assurance that the Issuer would have sufficient funds to pay the purchase price for all Notes and amounts due under other Indebtedness that the Company may be required to repurchase or repay or that the Company or the other Guarantors would be able to make such payments. In the event that the Issuer were required to purchase outstanding Notes pursuant to a Change of Control offer, the Company expects that it would need to seek third-party financing to the extent it does not have available funds to enable the Issuer to meet its purchase obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to obtain such financing.
Failure by the Issuer to purchase the Notes when required upon a Change of Control will result in an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.
These provisions could have the effect of deterring hostile or friendly acquisitions of the Company where the Person attempting the acquisition views itself as unable to finance the purchase of the principal amount of Notes which may be tendered to the Issuer upon the occurrence of a Change of Control.
Limitations on Indebtedness. The Indenture will provide that the Company and the Issuer will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to create, incur, assume, become liable for or guarantee the payment of (collectively, an "incurrence") any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) unless, after giving effect thereto and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on the date thereof would be at least 2.0 to 1.0.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of the Indenture will not prevent the incurrence of:
For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness may be incurred through the first paragraph of this covenant or by meeting the criteria of one or more of the types of Indebtedness described in the second paragraph of this covenant (or the definitions of the terms used therein), the Company, in its sole discretion,
The Company and the Issuer will not, and will not cause or permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, in any event incur any Indebtedness that purports to be by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) subordinated to any other Indebtedness of the Company or of such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is also by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) made expressly subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Guarantor, as the case may be, to the same extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to such other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
Limitations on Restricted Payments. The Indenture will provide that the Company and the Issuer will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless:
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than to any Subsidiary of the Company) and (2) the issue or sale after February 1, 1999 of any Indebtedness or other securities of the Company convertible into or exercisable for Qualified Stock of the Company that have been so converted or exercised, as the case may be, plus
The foregoing clauses (2) and (3) will not prohibit:
provided, however, that each Restricted Payment described in clauses (A) and (B) of this sentence shall be taken into account for purposes of computing the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (3) of the immediately preceding paragraph.
For purposes of determining the aggregate and permitted amounts of Restricted Payments made, the amount of any guarantee of any Investment in any Person that was initially treated as a Restricted Payment and which was subsequently terminated or expired, net of any amounts paid by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such guarantee, shall be deducted.
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In determining the "Fair Market Value of Property" for purposes of clause (3) of the first paragraph of this covenant, Property other than cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities shall be deemed to be equal in value to the "equity value" of the Capital Stock or other securities issued in exchange therefor. The equity value of such Capital Stock or other securities shall be equal to (i) the number of shares of Common Equity issued in the transaction (or issuable upon conversion or exercise of the Capital Stock or other securities issued in the transaction) multiplied by the closing sale price of the Common Equity on its principal market on the date of the transaction (less, in the case of Capital Stock or other securities which require the payment of consideration at the time of conversion or exercise, the aggregate consideration payable thereupon) or (ii) if the Common Equity is not then traded on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or Nasdaq National Market, or if the Capital Stock or other securities issued in the transaction do not consist of Common Equity (or Capital Stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Equity), the value (if more than $10 million) of such Capital Stock or other securities as determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm retained by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates. The Indenture will provide that the Company and the Issuer will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any loan, advance, guarantee or capital contribution to, or for the benefit of, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any property or assets to or for the benefit of, or purchase or lease any property or assets from, or enter into or amend any contract, agreement or understanding with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company or any Affiliate of any of the Company's Subsidiaries or any holder of 10% or more of the Common Equity of the Company (including any Affiliates of such holders), in a single transaction or series of related transactions (each, an "Affiliate Transaction"), except for any Affiliate Transaction the terms of which are at least as favorable as the terms which could be obtained by the Company, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in a comparable transaction made on an arm's length basis with Persons who are not such a holder, an Affiliate of such a holder or an Affiliate of the Company or any of the Company's Subsidiaries.
In addition, the Company and the Issuer will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into an Affiliate Transaction unless:
The Indenture will also provide that notwithstanding the foregoing, an Affiliate Transaction will not include:
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Limitations on Dispositions of Assets. The Indenture will provide that the Company and the Issuer will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Asset Disposition unless:
The amount of (i) any Indebtedness (other than any Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is actually assumed by the transferee in such Asset Disposition and (ii) the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) of any property or assets received that are used or useful in a Real Estate Business, shall be deemed to be consideration required by clause (b) above for purposes of determining the percentage of such consideration received by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Disposition shall, within one year, at the Company's election, (a) be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the business of the construction and sale of homes conducted by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any other business of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary existing at the time of such Asset Disposition or (b) to the extent not so used, be applied to make an Offer to Purchase Notes and, if the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary elects or is required to do so repay, purchase or redeem any other unsubordinated Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis if the amount available for such repayment, purchase or redemption is less than the aggregate amount of (i) the principal amount of the Notes tendered in such Offer to Purchase and (ii) the lesser of the principal amount, or accreted value, of such other unsubordinated Indebtedness, plus, in each case accrued interest to the date of repayment, purchase or redemption) at 100% of the principal amount or accreted value thereof, as the case may be, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase or repayment.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the Company will not be required to apply such Net Cash Proceeds to the repurchase of Notes in accordance with clause (b) of the preceding sentence except to the extent that such Net Cash Proceeds, together with the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds of prior Asset Dispositions (other than those so used) which have not been applied in accordance with this provision and as to which no prior Offer to Purchase shall have been made, exceed 5% of Consolidated Tangible
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Assets and (B) in connection with an Asset Disposition, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be required to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of the first sentence of the first paragraph of this covenant to the extent that the non-cash consideration received in connection with such Asset Disposition, together with the sum of all non-cash consideration received in connection with all prior Asset Dispositions that has not yet been converted into cash, does not exceed 5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; provided, however, that when any non-cash consideration is converted into cash, such cash shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds and be subject to the preceding sentence.
Limitations on Liens. The Indenture will provide that the Company and the Issuer will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens, other than Permitted Liens, on any of its Property, or on any shares of Capital Stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, unless contemporaneously therewith or prior thereto all payments due under the Indenture and the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligation or liability so secured until such time as such indebtedness is no longer secured by a Lien.
Limitations on Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries. The Indenture will provide that the Company and the Issuer will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction (other than encumbrances or restrictions imposed by law or by judicial or regulatory action or by provisions of agreements that restrict the assignability thereof) on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
except for:
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agreement does not expressly restrict the ability of a Subsidiary of the Company to pay dividends or make or repay loans or advances prior to default thereunder,
Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets. The Indenture will provide that neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor will consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (including, without limitation, by way of liquidation or dissolution), or assign any of its obligations under the Notes, the Guarantees or the Indenture (as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in one transaction or in a series of related transactions), to any Person (in each case other than in a transaction in which the Company, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary is the survivor of a consolidation or merger, or the transferee in a sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition) unless:
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or the Guarantor, as the case may be, under the Notes or a Guarantee, as the case may be, and the Indenture,
The foregoing provisions shall not apply to:
Reports to Holders of Notes. The Company shall file with the Commission the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company shall file with the Trustee and mail to each Holder of record of Notes such reports, information and documents within 15 days after it files them with the Commission. In the event that the Company is no longer subject to these periodic requirements of the Exchange Act, it will nonetheless continue to file reports with the Commission and the Trustee and mail such reports to each Holder of Notes as if it were subject to such reporting requirements. Regardless of whether the Company is required to furnish such reports to its stockholders pursuant to the Exchange Act, the Company will cause its consolidated financial statements and a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" written report, similar to those that would have been required to appear in annual or quarterly reports, to be delivered to Holders of Notes.
Limitation of Applicability of Certain Covenants if Notes Rated Investment Grade
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries' obligations to comply with the provisions of the Indenture described above under the caption "Certain Covenants" (except for the covenants described under "Repurchase of Notes upon Change of Control," "Limitations on Liens," "Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets" (other than clause (3) of the first paragraph thereof) and "Reports to Holders of Notes") will terminate (such terminated covenants, the "Extinguished Covenants") and cease to have any further effect from and after the first date when the Notes issued under the Indenture are rated Investment Grade; provided that if the Notes subsequently cease to be rated Investment Grade, then, from and after the time the Notes cease to be rated Investment Grade, the Issuer, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries' obligation to comply with the Extinguished Covenants shall be reinstated.
In addition, following the achievement of such Investment Grade ratings, (1) the Guarantees of the Guarantors will be released at the time of the release of the guarantees under all outstanding Applicable Debt subject to the reinstatement of Guarantees if released Guarantors thereafter guarantee any Applicable Debt or the Notes cease to be rated Investment Grade and (2) no Restricted Subsidiary thereafter acquired or created will be required to be a Guarantor unless released Guarantors thereafter guarantee any Applicable Debt or the Notes cease to be rated Investment Grade, in each case as more fully described under the caption "The Guarantees."
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any such reinstatement, no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to such reinstatement shall give rise to a Default or Event of Default under the Indenture upon reinstatement; provided that with respect to Restricted Payments made after any such reinstatement, the amount of Restricted Payments made after May 4, 1999 will be calculated as though the "Limitations on Restricted Payments" covenant had been in effect during the entire period after such date.
Condition for Release of K. Hovnanian
The Indenture provides that the Issuer may be released from its obligations under the Indenture and the Notes, without the consent of the holders of the Notes, if (1) the Company or any successor to the Company has assumed the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes, (2) the Company delivers an opinion of counsel to the Trustee to the effect that Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the release and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case otherwise and (3) the Issuer becomes a Guarantor of the Notes at such time, until such time, if any, as such Guarantee may be released as described above under the captions "Limitation of Applicability of Certain Covenants if Notes Rated Investment Grade" and "The Guarantees."
Events of Default
The following are Events of Default under the Indenture:
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judgment or judgments is not satisfied, stayed, annulled or rescinded within 60 days of being entered;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days, or
A Default as described in subclause (3) above will not be deemed an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default and (except in the case of a default with respect to covenants described under "Certain CovenantsRepurchase of Notes upon Change of Control" and "Certain CovenantsLimitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets") the Company does not cure the Default within 60 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a "Notice of Default." If such a Default is cured within such time period, it ceases.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to the Company or the Issuer resulting from subclauses (7) or (8) above), shall have occurred and be continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare all Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon such declaration of acceleration, the amounts due and payable on the Notes will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default with respect to the Company or the Issuer specified in subclauses (7) or (8) above occurs, such an amount will ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee and the Company or any Holder.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee and the Company may waive any Default or Event of Default (other than any Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest) on the Notes under the Indenture. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its
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consequence (except an acceleration due to nonpayment of principal or interest on the Notes) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (other than the non-payment of accelerated principal) have been cured or waived.
The Holders may not enforce the provisions of the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power, provided, however, that such direction does not conflict with the terms of the Indenture. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except any Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest on the Notes or that resulted from the failure to comply with the covenant entitled "Repurchase of Notes upon Change of Control") if the Trustee determines that withholding such notice is in the Holders' interest.
The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee an annual statement regarding compliance with the Indenture and include in such statement, if any officer of the Company is aware of any Default or Event of Default, a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. In addition, the Company is required to deliver to the Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.
Discharge and Defeasance of Indenture
The Company, the Issuer and the Guarantors may discharge their obligations under the Notes, the Guarantees and the Indenture by irrevocably depositing in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay principal of, premium and interest and additional interest, if any, on the Notes to maturity or redemption and the Notes mature or are to be called for redemption within one year, subject to meeting certain other conditions.
The Indenture will permit the Company, the Issuer and the Guarantors to terminate all of their respective obligations under the Indenture with respect to the Notes and the Guarantees, other than the obligation to pay interest on and the principal of the Notes and certain other obligations ("legal defeasance"), at any time by
In addition, the Indenture will permit the Company, the Issuer and the Guarantors to terminate all of their obligations under the Indenture with respect to certain covenants and events of default specified in the Indenture, and the Guarantors will be released ("covenant defeasance"), at any time by
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, no discharge, legal defeasance or covenant defeasance described above will affect the following obligations to, or rights of, the Holders of the Notes:
The Company, the Issuer or the Guarantors may exercise the legal defeasance option with respect to the Notes notwithstanding the prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option with respect to the Notes. If the Company, the Issuer or the Guarantors exercise the legal defeasance option with respect to the Notes, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated due to an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. If the Company, the Issuer or the Guarantors exercise the covenant defeasance option with respect to the Notes, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated due to an Event of Default with respect to the covenants to which such covenant defeasance is applicable. However, if acceleration were to occur by reason of another Event of Default, the realizable value at the acceleration date of the cash and U.S. Government Obligations in the defeasance trust could be less than the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and additional interest, if any, then due on the Notes, in that the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flow rather than market value, which will vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.
Transfer and Exchange
A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes only in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent (which may include written consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and future compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived (other than any continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on or the principal of the Notes) with the consent (which may include waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, defect or
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inconsistency; to comply with the "Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets" covenant set forth in the Indenture; to comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture by a successor Trustee; to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; to provide for any Guarantee of the Notes; to secure the Notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee of or Lien securing the Notes when such release, termination or discharge is permitted by the Indenture; to make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights of any Holder; to evidence the assumption by the Company (or its successor entity) or a successor entity of the Issuer of the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes; to add covenants or new events of default for the protection of the Holders of the Notes; or to designate a bank or trust company other than the Trustee to act as trustee.
Without the consent of each Holder affected, the Company, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may not:
The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of the Indenture (and our obligation to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Notes with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Trustee in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
Governing Law
The Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Definitions of Certain Terms Used in the Indenture
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for the full definition of all terms used in the Indenture.
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"Acquired Indebtedness" means (1) with respect to any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is merged into the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) after the Issue Date, Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is merged into the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) that was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (or being merged into the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) and (2) with respect to the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness expressly assumed by the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of any assets from another Person (other than the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary), which Indebtedness was not incurred by such other Person in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition. Indebtedness incurred in connection with or in contemplation of any transaction described in clause (1) or (2) of the preceding sentence shall be deemed to have been incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is merged into the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) in the case of clause (1) or at the time of the acquisition of such assets in the case of clause (2), but shall not be deemed Acquired Indebtedness.
"Affiliate" means, when used with reference to a specified Person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling, or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with, the Person specified.
"Asset Acquisition" means (1) an Investment by the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person if, as a result of such Investment, such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be consolidated or merged with or into the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (2) the acquisition by the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of the assets of any Person, which constitute all or substantially all of the assets or of an operating unit or line of business of such Person or which is otherwise outside the ordinary course of business.
"Asset Disposition" means any sale, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition (including, without limitation, by way of merger, consolidation or sale and leaseback or sale of shares of Capital Stock in any Subsidiary) (each, a "transaction") by the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of any Property having a Fair Market Value in any transaction or series of related transactions of at least $5 million. The term "Asset Disposition" shall not include:
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"Attributable Debt" means, with respect to any Capitalized Lease Obligations, the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Bankruptcy Law" means title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of or in such Person's capital stock or other equity interests, and options, rights or warrants to purchase such capital stock or other equity interests, whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date, including, without limitation, all Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of such obligations will be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Cash Equivalents" means
"Change of Control" means
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"Common Equity" of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled to (1) vote in the election of directors of such Person or (2) if such Person is not a corporation, vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.
"Consolidated Adjusted Tangible Assets" of the Company as of any date means the Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Company, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date less any assets securing any Non-Recourse Indebtedness, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges" means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (each to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and determined in accordance with GAAP) the sum for such period, without duplication, of:
all other non-cash items (other than the receipt of notes receivable) increasing such Consolidated Net Income.
"Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to any determination date, the ratio of (x) Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for the prior four full fiscal quarters (the "Four Quarter Period") for which financial results have been reported immediately preceding the determination date (the "Transaction Date"), to (y) the aggregate Consolidated Interest Incurred for the Four Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, "Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges" and "Consolidated Interest Incurred" shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to:
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during the Four Quarter Period (as reduced on such pro forma basis by the application of any proceeds of the incurrence of Indebtedness giving rise to the need to make such calculation);
Furthermore, in calculating "Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges" for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,"
"Consolidated Interest Expense" of the Company for any period means the Interest Expense of the Company, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Interest Incurred" for any period means the Interest Incurred of the Company, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Income" for any period means the aggregate net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that there will be excluded from such net income (loss) (to the extent otherwise included therein), without duplication:
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the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the form of cash dividends or similar cash distributions during such period, which dividends or distributions are not in excess of the Company's, the Issuer's or such Restricted Subsidiary's (as applicable) pro rata share of such Unrestricted Subsidiary's or such other Person's net income earned during such period,
provided, further, that for purposes of calculating Consolidated Net Income solely as it relates to clause (3) of the first paragraph of the "Limitations on Restricted Payments" covenant, clause (4)(b) above shall not be applicable.
"Consolidated Net Worth" of any Person as of any date means the stockholders' equity (including any Preferred Stock that is classified as equity under GAAP, other than Disqualified Stock) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such date, as determined in accordance with GAAP, less any amount attributable to Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Tangible Assets" of the Company as of any date means the total amount of assets of the Company, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (less applicable reserves) on a consolidated basis at the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such date, as determined in accordance with GAAP, less (1) Intangible Assets and (2) appropriate adjustments on account of minority interests of other Persons holding equity investments in Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Continuing Director" means a director who either was a member of the Board of Directors of the Company on the date of the Indenture or who became a director of the Company subsequent to such date and whose election or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was duly approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors on the Board of Directors of the Company at the time of such approval, either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement issued by the Company on behalf of the entire Board of Directors of the Company in which such individual is named as nominee for director.
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"control" when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Credit Facilities" means, collectively, each of the credit facilities and lines of credit of the Company or one or more Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date and one or more other facilities and lines of credit among or between the Company or one or more Restricted Subsidiaries and one or more lenders pursuant to which the Company or one or more Restricted Subsidiaries may incur indebtedness for working capital and general corporate purposes (including acquisitions), as any such facility or line of credit may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and includes any agreement extending the maturity of, increasing the amount of, or restructuring, all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such facility or line of credit or any successor facilities or lines of credit and includes any facility or line of credit with one or more lenders refinancing or replacing all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such facility or line of credit or any successor facility or line of credit.
"Currency Agreement" of any Person means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency values.
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
"Default" means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Designation Amount" has the meaning provided in the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes or (2) is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for (whether at the option of the issuer or the holder thereof) (a) debt securities or (b) any Capital Stock referred to in (1) above, in each case, at any time prior to the final maturity date of the Notes; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such Capital Stock is convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change in control occurring prior to the final maturity date of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the change in control provision applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to such holders than the provisions described under the caption "Certain CovenantsRepurchase of Notes upon Change of Control" and such Capital Stock specifically provides that the Company will not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions prior to the Company's repurchase of the Notes as are required pursuant to the provisions described under the caption "Certain CovenantsRepurchase of Notes upon Change of Control."
"Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in "Events of Default."
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"Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset, the price (after taking into account any liabilities relating to such assets) that would be negotiated in an arm's-length transaction for cash between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of which is under any compulsion to complete the transaction, as such price is determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof, as evidenced by a resolution of such Board or committee.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, as in effect on May 4, 1999.
"guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person: (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof, in whole or in part; provided, that the term "guarantee" does not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
"Guarantee" means the guarantee of the Notes by the Company and each other Guarantor under the Indenture.
"Guarantors" means (i) initially, the Company and each of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date, other than the Issuer, KHL, Inc. and K. Hovnanian Poland, sp.z.o.o., and (ii) each of the Company's Subsidiaries which becomes a Guarantor of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture, and their successors, in each case until released from its respective Guarantee pursuant to the Indenture.
"Holder" or "Holder of Notes" means the Person in whose name a Note is registered in the books of the Registrar for the Notes.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication,
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under warehouse lines of credit of Mortgage Subsidiaries to repurchase mortgages at prices no greater than 98% of the principal amount thereof, and upon any such purchase the excess, if any, of the purchase price thereof over the Fair Market Value of the mortgages acquired, will constitute Restricted Payments subject to the "Limitations on Restricted Payments" covenant,
provided, that Indebtedness shall not include accounts payable, liabilities to trade creditors of such Person or other accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be (a) the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above, net of any unamortized discount to be accounted for as Interest Expense, in accordance with GAAP, (b) the maximum liability of such Person for any contingent obligations under clause (1) above at such date, net of an unamortized discount to be accounted for as Interest Expense in accordance with GAAP, and (c) in the case of clause (4) above, the lesser of (x) the fair market value of any asset subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others on the date that the Lien attaches and (y) the amount of the Indebtedness secured.
"Intangible Assets" of the Company means all unamortized debt discount and expense, unamortized deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, write-ups of assets over their prior carrying value (other than write-ups which occurred prior to the Issue Date and other than, in connection with the acquisition of an asset, the write-up of the value of such asset (within one year of its acquisition) to its fair market value in accordance with GAAP) and all other items which would be treated as intangible on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.
"Interest Expense" of any Person for any period means, without duplication, the aggregate amount of (i) interest which, in conformity with GAAP, would be set opposite the caption "interest expense" or any like caption on an income statement for such Person (including, without limitation, imputed interest included in Capitalized Lease Obligations, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing, the net costs (but reduced by net gains) associated with Currency Agreements and Interest Protection Agreements, amortization of other financing fees and expenses, the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation, amortization of discount or premium, if any, and all other noncash interest expense (other than interest and other charges amortized to cost of sales)), and (ii) all interest actually paid by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under any guarantee of Indebtedness (including, without limitation, a guarantee of principal, interest or any combination thereof) of any Person other than the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period; provided, that Interest Expense shall exclude any expense associated with the complete write-off of financing fees and expenses in connection with the repayment of any Indebtedness.
"Interest Incurred" of any Person for any period means, without duplication, the aggregate amount of (1) Interest Expense and (2) all capitalized interest and amortized debt issuance costs.
"Interest Protection Agreement" of any Person means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, option or futures contract or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to Debt permitted to be incurred under the Indenture.
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"Investment Grade" means, with respect to a debt rating of the Notes, a rating of Baa3 or higher by Moody's together with a rating of BBB- or higher by S&P or, in the event S&P or Moody's or both shall cease rating the Notes (for reasons outside the control of the Company or the Issuer) and the Company shall select any other Rating Agency, the equivalent of such ratings by such other Rating Agency.
"Investments" of any Person means (i) all investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions, (ii) all guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations of any other Person by such Person, (iii) all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other securities of any other Person and (iv) all other items that would be classified as investments in any other Person (including, without limitation, purchases of assets outside the ordinary course of business) on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
"Issue Date" means March 18, 2004.
"Lien" means, with respect to any Property, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such Property. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to own, subject to a Lien, any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such Property.
"Marketable Securities" means (a) equity securities that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq National Market and (b) debt securities that are rated by a nationally recognized rating agency, listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or covered by at least two reputable market makers.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to its debt rating business.
"Mortgage Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company substantially all of whose operations consist of the mortgage lending business.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means with respect to an Asset Disposition, cash payments received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise (including any cash received upon sale or disposition of such note or receivable), but only as and when received), excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the Property disposed of in such Asset Disposition or received in any other non-cash form unless and until such non-cash consideration is converted into cash therefrom, in each case, net of all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all federal, state and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, and in each case net of a reasonable reserve for the after-tax cost of any indemnification or other payments (fixed and contingent) attributable to the seller's indemnities or other obligations to the purchaser undertaken by the Company, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition, and net of all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by or relates to such Property, in accordance with the terms of any Lien or agreement upon or with respect to such Property or which must by its terms or by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, and net of all contractually required distributions and payments made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition.
"Non-Recourse Indebtedness" with respect to any Person means Indebtedness of such Person for which (1) the sole legal recourse for collection of principal and interest on such Indebtedness is against the specific property identified in the instruments evidencing or securing such Indebtedness and such property was acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or such Indebtedness was incurred
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within 90 days after the acquisition of such property and (2) no other assets of such Person may be realized upon in collection of principal or interest on such Indebtedness. Indebtedness which is otherwise Non-Recourse Indebtedness will not lose its character as Non-Recourse Indebtedness because there is recourse to the borrower, any guarantor or any other Person for (a) environmental warranties and indemnities, or (b) indemnities for and liabilities arising from fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication or non-payment of rents, profits, insurance and condemnation proceeds and other sums actually received by the borrower from secured assets to be paid to the lender, waste and mechanics' liens.
"Permitted Hovnanian Holders" means, collectively, Kevork S. Hovnanian, Ara K. Hovnanian, the members of their immediate families, the respective estates, spouses, heirs, ancestors, lineal descendants, legatees and legal representatives of any of the foregoing and the trustee of any bona fide trust of which one or more of the foregoing are the sole beneficiaries or the grantors thereof, or any entity of which any of the foregoing, individually or collectively, beneficially own more than 50% of the Common Equity.
"Permitted Indebtedness" means
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"Permitted Investment" means
"Permitted Liens" means
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"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Stock" of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person which has a preference in liquidation or with respect to the payment of dividends.
"Property" of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible, intangible or mixed property owned by such Person, whether or not included in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries under GAAP.
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"Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price, or the cost of construction or improvement, of any property to be used in the ordinary course of business by the Company, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (1) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness shall not exceed such purchase price or cost and (2) such Indebtedness shall be incurred no later than 90 days after the acquisition of such property or completion of such construction or improvement.
"Qualified Stock" means Capital Stock of the Company other than Disqualified Stock.
"Rating Agency" means a statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, nationally recognized in the United States and selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company) which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody's, or both, as the case may be.
"Real Estate Business" means homebuilding, housing construction, real estate development or construction and related real estate activities, including the provision of mortgage financing or title insurance.
"Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (to the extent not Permitted Indebtedness) that refunds, refinances or extends any Indebtedness of the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (to the extent not Permitted Indebtedness) outstanding on the Issue Date or other Indebtedness (to the extent not Permitted Indebtedness) permitted to be incurred by the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, but only to the extent that:
"Restricted Payment" means any of the following:
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"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company which is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., a New York corporation, or any successor to its debt rating business.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company which would constitute a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Rule 1-02(w)(1) or (2) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act as in effect on the Issue Date.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors or other persons performing similar functions is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person.
"Trustee" means the party named as such above until such time, if any, that a successor replaces such party in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving as trustee under the Indenture in respect of the Notes.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company so designated by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof as provided below; provided, that (a) the holders of Indebtedness thereof do not have direct or indirect recourse against the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, and neither the Company, the Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary otherwise has liability for, any payment obligations in respect of such Indebtedness (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Indebtedness), except, in each case, to the extent that the amount thereof constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by the Indenture, in the case of Non-Recourse Indebtedness, to the extent such recourse or liability is for the matters discussed in the last sentence of the definition of "Non-Recourse Indebtedness," or to the extent such Indebtedness is a guarantee by such Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and (b) no holder of any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall have a right to declare a default on such Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity as a result of a default on any Indebtedness of the Company, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary. As of the Issue Date, our title insurance and home mortgage subsidiaries and certain joint ventures, as well as certain homebuilding subsidiaries which are not material to the operators of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, are designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries under the Indenture.
Subject to the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof may designate any Subsidiary in addition to those named above to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (1) the net amount (the "Designation Amount") then outstanding of all previous Investments by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary will be deemed to be a Restricted Payment at the time of such designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under the "Limitations on Restricted Payments" covenant set forth in the Indenture, to the extent provided therein, (2) the Company must be permitted under the "Limitations on Restricted Payments" covenant set forth in the Indenture to make the Restricted Payment deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1), and (3) after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing. In accordance with the foregoing, and not in limitation thereof, Investments made by any Person in any Subsidiary of such Person prior to such Person's merger with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (but not in
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contemplation or anticipation of such merger) shall not be counted as an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary if such Subsidiary of such Person is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof may also redesignate an Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (1) the Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation could then be incurred under the "Limitations on Indebtedness" covenant and (2) immediately after giving effect to such redesignation and the incurrence of any such additional Indebtedness, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the first paragraph of the "Limitations on Indebtedness" covenant. Any such designation or redesignation by the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof will be evidenced to the Trustee by the filing with the Trustee of a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee thereof giving effect to such designation or redesignation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation or redesignation complied with the foregoing conditions and setting forth the underlying calculations of such Officers' Certificate. The designation of any Person as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to include a designation of all Subsidiaries of such Person as Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the ownership of the general partnership interest (or a similar member's interest in a limited liability company) by an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not cause a Subsidiary of the Company of which more than 95% of the equity interest is held by the Company or one or more Restricted Subsidiaries to be deemed an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness or portion thereof at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of principal, including, without limitation, payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (ii) the sum of all such payments described in clause (i)(a) above.
Concerning the Trustee
The Trustee is also trustee with respect to the Issuer's 61/2% Senior Notes due 2014, 8% Senior Notes due 2012, 73/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, 87/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 and 101/2% Senior Notes due 2007. The Indenture will contain certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest during the continuance of any Default, it must, so long as such Default has not been cured or duly waived, eliminate that conflicting interest within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture will provide that in case an Event of Default shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any holder of Notes, unless that holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
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EXCHANGE OFFER; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The Issuer, the Company, the other guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes entered into a registration rights agreement on March 18, 2004, which we refer to as the "Registration Rights Agreement." Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuer, the Company and the other guarantors party thereto agreed to file with the SEC the Exchange Offer Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to the exchange offer. Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and pursuant to the exchange offer, the Issuer will offer to the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined below) who are able to make certain representations the opportunity to exchange their Transfer Restricted Securities for exchange notes. Capitalized terms used in this section but not otherwise defined have the meanings given to them in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Under the Registration Rights Agreement:
In the event that:
then, the Issuer, the Company and the other guarantors have agreed to file with the SEC a Shelf Registration Statement to cover resales of the notes by the holders thereof who satisfy certain conditions relating to the provisions of information in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement.
The Company, the Issuer and the other guarantors have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to cause the applicable registration statement to be declared effective as promptly as possible by the SEC.
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For purposes of the preceding, "Transfer Restricted Securities" means:
The Issuer, the Company and other guarantors have agreed to pay additional interest to each holder of Transfer Restricted Securities upon the occurrence of any of the following:
We refer to each event referred to in clauses (1) through (4) above as a "Registration Default."
Such additional interest shall be:
All accrued additional interest will be paid on each Interest Payment Date at the same time and in the same manner as interest. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of additional interest will cease. Additional interest will only be payable in respect of one Registration Default at any time.
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities will be required to make certain representations to the Issuer, the Company and the other guarantors (as described in the Registration Rights Agreement) in order to participate in the Exchange Offer and will be required to deliver certain information to be used in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement and to provide comments on the Shelf Registration Statement within the time periods set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement in order to have their notes included in the Shelf Registration Statement and to benefit from the provisions regarding additional interest set forth above with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement.
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Book-Entry Procedures for the Global Notes
The exchange notes will initially be represented in the form of one or more global notes in fully-registered book-entry form without interest coupons that will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee under the indenture, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, or "DTC," and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant as described below.
Except as set forth below, the global notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for notes in certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below. See "Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes." In addition, transfer of beneficial interests in the global notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants, which may change from time to time. The notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee.
Depositary Procedures
DTC has advised the Issuer that it is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Participants. The Participants include securities brokers and dealers (including the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the "Indirect Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
DTC has also advised the Issuer that, pursuant to procedures established by it,
The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interest in a global note to such persons may be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in a global note to pledge such interest to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of physical certificate evidencing such interests. For certain other restrictions on the transferability of the notes, see "Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes."
Except as described below, owners of interests in the global notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the indenture for any purpose.
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Payments in respect of the principal and premium and additional interest, if any, and interest on a global note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable by the trustee to DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, the indenture and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the notes, including the global notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever.
Consequently, none of the Issuer, the trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:
DTC has advised the Issuer that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the exchange notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of exchange notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or the Issuer. Neither the Issuer nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the exchange notes, and the Issuer and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
Except for trades involving only Euroclear and Clearstream participants, interests in the global notes will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary market trading activity in such interests will therefore settle in immediately available funds, subject in all cases to the rules and procedures of DTC and its participants.
Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the notes described herein, crossmarket transfers between Participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for Euroclear or Clearstream.
Because of time zone differences, the securities accounts of a Euroclear or Clearstream Participant purchasing an interest in a note from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream Participant, during the securities settlement
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processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in an exchange note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream Participant to a Participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC's settlement date. DTC has advised the Issuer that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of exchange notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to whose account DTC interests in the global notes are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such Participant or Participants has or have given direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange global notes for legended exchange notes in certificated form, and to distribute such exchange notes to its Participants.
The information in this section concerning DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and their book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that the Issuer believes to be reliable, but the Issuer takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among Participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of the Issuer, the initial purchasers of the outstanding notes or the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective Participants or Indirect Participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
A global note is exchangeable for a certificated exchange note if:
In addition, beneficial interests in a global note may be exchanged for certificated exchange notes upon request but only upon at least 20 days' prior written notice given to the trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with customary procedures. In all cases, certificated exchange notes delivered in exchange for any global note or beneficial interest therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).
Same Day Settlement And Payment
The indenture requires that payments in respect of exchange notes represented by the global notes (including principal, premium, if any, interest and additional interest, if any) be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by DTC or its nominee. With respect to certificated exchange notes, we will make all payments of principal, premium, if any, interest and additional interest, if any, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such holder's registered address. The exchange notes represented by the global notes are eligible to trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such exchange notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. We expect that secondary trading in any certificated exchange notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.
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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer will not constitute a taxable event to holders for United States federal income tax purposes. Consequently, no gain or loss will be recognized by a holder upon receipt of an exchange note, the holding period of the exchange note will include the holding period of the outstanding note exchanged therefor, and the basis of the exchange note will be the same as the basis of the outstanding note immediately before the exchange.
In any event, persons considering the exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes should consult their own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
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Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for outstanding notes where the outstanding notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. To the extent that any such broker-dealer participates in the exchange offer and so notifies us, or causes us to be so notified in writing, we have agreed that for a period of up to 180 days after the consummation of this offer to use our best efforts to make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to such broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale and will deliver as many additional copies of this prospectus and each amendment or supplement to this prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus as such broker-dealer may reasonably request.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange notes by broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by broker-dealers for their own accounts pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the exchange notes or a combination of these methods of resale at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or the purchasers of any exchange notes. Any broker-dealer that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of the exchange notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any resale of exchange notes and any commissions or concessions received by these persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
We have also agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer, including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of all of the sellers of the outstanding notes, and will indemnify the holders of the outstanding notes, including any broker-dealers, against certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
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The validity of the exchange notes offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York.
The consolidated financial statements of Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. appearing in Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2003 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC's public reference room at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of such material can also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at the prescribed rates. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information. The website address is: http://www.sec.gov. Hovnanian's Class A common stock is listed on the NYSE, and reports, proxy statements and other information can also be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
Hovnanian has filed the following documents with the SEC and these documents are incorporated herein by reference:
This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" selected documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information in the documents incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information in documents that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supercede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed above filed under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
All documents filed by Hovnanian pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offerings made by this prospectus are to be incorporated herein by reference. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any
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other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
Hovnanian will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such information (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this prospectus incorporates). Requests for such copies should be directed to Paul W. Buchanan, Senior Vice PresidentCorporate Controller, Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., 10 Highway 35, P.O. Box 500, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701, telephone: (732) 747-7800.
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$150,000,000
K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Guaranteed by
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Offer to Exchange All Outstanding
63/8% Senior Notes due 2014
($150,000,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding)
for 63/8% Senior Notes due 2014, which have been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933
Until September 5, 2004, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PROSPECTUS
June 2, 2004