e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number: 000-51002
ZIPREALTY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| DELAWARE
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94-3319956 |
| (State of incorporation)
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(IRS employer identification number) |
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| 2000 POWELL STREET, SUITE 300 |
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| EMERYVILLE, CA
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94608 |
| (Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
(510) 735-2600
(Registrants telephone number)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of accelerated
filer, large accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act. (Check one):
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| Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer o |
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
We had 20,167,661 shares of common stock outstanding at May 1, 2008.
Statement regarding forward-looking statements
This report includes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide current
expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not
directly relate to any historical or current fact. All statements other than statements of
historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial
position, business strategy and operations, and plans and objectives of management are
forward-looking statements. The words believe, may, will, should, could, estimate,
continue, anticipate, intend, expect, plan, potential, predict, project,
designed, provides, facilitates, assists, helps and similar expressions, as they relate
to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in
this report include, but are not limited to, statements relating to:
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trends in the residential real estate market, the market for mortgages, and the general
economy; |
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our future financial results; |
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our future growth and expansion into new markets; |
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our future advertising and marketing activities; and |
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our future investment in technology. |
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and
projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial
condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. No forward-looking
statement is a guarantee of future performance and you should not place undue reliance on any
forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in Risk Factors in Item 1A of Part II.
Readers should carefully review such cautionary statements as they identify certain important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements and from historical trends. Those cautionary statements are not exclusive and are in
addition to other factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q or in materials incorporated herein
by reference.
In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and
circumstances discussed in this report may not occur and actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required
by law, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this
report.
Trademarks
ZipRealty, ZipAgent, ZipNotify, Your home is where our heart is and Real Estate
Redefined are our registered trademarks in the United States. We also own the rights to the domain
name www.Real-Estate.com. REALTOR and REALTORS are registered trademarks of the National
Association of REALTORS®. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this
report are the property of their respective owners.
Internet site
Our Internet address is www.ziprealty.com. We make publicly available free of charge
on our Internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current
reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we
electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Information contained on our website is not a part of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Where you can find additional information
You may review a copy of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including exhibits and any
schedule filed therewith, and obtain copies of such materials at prescribed rates, at the
Securities and Exchange Commissions Public Reference Room in Room 1580, 100 F Street NE,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Securities and Exchange
Commission maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants, such as ZipRealty, that file electronically
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
3
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:
ZIPREALTY, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Assets |
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Current assets |
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|
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
16,924 |
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$ |
7,818 |
|
Short-term investments |
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55,516 |
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72,649 |
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Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $26
and $29 at March 31, 2008 and December 31,
2007, respectively |
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1,953 |
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|
1,170 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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2,963 |
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3,267 |
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Total current assets |
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77,356 |
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84,904 |
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Restricted cash |
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90 |
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90 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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4,920 |
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5,366 |
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Intangible assets, net |
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111 |
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119 |
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Other assets |
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360 |
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340 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
82,837 |
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$ |
90,819 |
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Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
2,708 |
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$ |
2,095 |
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Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
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7,971 |
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|
10,495 |
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Total current liabilities |
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10,679 |
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12,590 |
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Other long-term liabilities |
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486 |
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503 |
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Total liabilities |
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11,165 |
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13,093 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) |
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Stockholders equity |
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Common stock: $0.001 par value; 100,000
shares authorized; 23,660 and 23,651 shares
issued and 23,650 and 23,641 shares
outstanding at March 31, 2008 and December
31, 2007, respectively |
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24 |
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24 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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145,452 |
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144,499 |
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Common stock warrants |
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168 |
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209 |
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Deferred stock-based compensation |
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(3 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
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480 |
|
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|
188 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
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|
(74,402 |
) |
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(67,141 |
) |
Treasury stock, at cost |
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(50 |
) |
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(50 |
) |
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Total stockholders equity |
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71,672 |
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77,726 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
82,837 |
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$ |
90,819 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
ZIPREALTY, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Net transaction revenues |
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$ |
20,121 |
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$ |
22,675 |
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Referral and other revenues |
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503 |
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707 |
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Net revenues |
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20,624 |
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23,382 |
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Operating expenses |
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Cost of revenues |
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12,342 |
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13,075 |
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Product development |
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2,146 |
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1,681 |
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Sales and marketing |
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10,028 |
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8,847 |
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General and administrative |
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3,682 |
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3,968 |
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Litigation |
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625 |
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Total operating expenses |
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28,823 |
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27,571 |
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Loss from operations |
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(8,199 |
) |
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(4,189 |
) |
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Other income (expense), net |
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Interest income |
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911 |
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|
1,088 |
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Other income (expense), net |
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27 |
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(4 |
) |
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Total other income (expense), net |
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938 |
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1,084 |
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Loss before income taxes |
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|
(7,261 |
) |
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|
(3,105 |
) |
Provision for income taxes |
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Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,261 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,105 |
) |
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Net loss per share: |
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Basic |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
Diluted |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
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Basic |
|
|
23,450 |
|
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|
22,008 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
23,450 |
|
|
|
22,008 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
ZIPREALTY, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2008 |
|
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2007 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
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Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,261 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,105 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
708 |
|
|
|
685 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
1,009 |
|
|
|
823 |
|
Provision for doubtful accounts |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
Amortization of short-term investment premium (discount) |
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
(100 |
) |
Amortization of intangible assets |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Loss on disposal of property and equipment |
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5 |
|
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3 |
|
Equity in net loss of non-consolidated companies |
|
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|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Accounts receivable |
|
|
(780 |
) |
|
|
(836 |
) |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
(110 |
) |
Other assets |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
39 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
613 |
|
|
|
107 |
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
(2,633 |
) |
|
|
(314 |
) |
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
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Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(8,152 |
) |
|
|
(2,825 |
) |
|
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Cash flows from investing activities |
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Purchases of short-term investments |
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(48 |
) |
|
|
(12,553 |
) |
Proceeds from sale and maturity of short-term investments |
|
|
17,558 |
|
|
|
13,675 |
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
|
(254 |
) |
|
|
(935 |
) |
|
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|
|
|
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Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
|
17,256 |
|
|
|
187 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
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Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from stock option exercises |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
Proceeds from common stock warrant exercises |
|
|
|
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
247 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
9,106 |
|
|
|
(2,391 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
7,818 |
|
|
|
8,575 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
16,924 |
|
|
$ |
6,184 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31,
2008 and 2007 and for the three months then ended have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and
the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not
include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for annual financial statements. In the opinion of the Companys management, the unaudited interim
condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited
financial statements, and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary for the fair presentation of the Companys financial position for the periods presented.
The results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results
to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2008, or any other period. The unaudited condensed
consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited consolidated
balance sheet at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial
statements. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited
financial statements and notes thereto included in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2007.
Principles of consolidation
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and reflect the elimination of intercompany accounts and
transactions. Investments in business entities in which the Company does not have control, but has
the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted
for using the equity method.
In June 2006, the Company formed two wholly owned subsidiaries, ZipRealty Title Holdings, LLC,
and Highline Insurance Services, LLC. These subsidiaries were formed for the purpose of offering
services relating to the purchase, sale and ownership of a home, including services related to
title insurance and property and casualty insurance. In June 2006, ZipRealty Title Holdings, LLC
entered into a joint venture with an independent third party title company. There were no
significant operations as of March 31, 2008 for any of these entities.
The Company accounts for interests in variable interest entities (VIEs) in accordance with
Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), as amended. The Company
consolidates all VIEs for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary.
Seasonality
The Companys net transaction revenues and income (loss) from operations have historically
varied from quarter to quarter. Such variations are principally attributable to variations in home
sales activity over the course of the calendar year. The Company has historically experienced lower
net transaction revenues during the first quarter because holidays and adverse weather conditions
in certain regions typically reduce the level of sales activity and listings inventories between
the Thanksgiving and Presidents Day holidays. Net transaction revenues during the three months
ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 accounted for approximately 22.4% and 20.1% of annual net transaction
revenues in 2007 and 2006, respectively. `
2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines
fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting
principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any
new fair value measurements, but provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a fair
value hierarchy used to classify the source of the information. In February 2008, the FASB
released FASB Staff Position Effective Date of FASB Statement 157 (FSP
7
FAS 157-2) which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and
nonfinancial liabilities except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) to fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2008 The Company adopted the required provisions of SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008;
the partial adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 3. Short-Term Investments and Fair Value
Measurements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities (SFAS 159) which permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at
fair value. The Company adopted SFAS 159 and, currently, has not expanded its eligible items
subject to the fair option under SFAS 159.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised), Business Combinations
(SFAS 141(R)). The standard changes the accounting for business combinations including the
measurement of acquirer shares issued in consideration for a business combination, the recognition
of contingent consideration, the accounting for preacquisition gain and loss contingencies, the
recognition of capitalized in-process research and development, the accounting for
acquisition-related restructuring cost accruals, the treatment of acquisition related transaction
costs and the recognition of changes in the acquirers income tax valuation allowance. SFAS 141(R)
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 141(R) on its consolidated
financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS 160). The standard changes the accounting
for noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated financial statements including the
requirements to classify noncontrolling interests as a component of consolidated stockholders
equity, and the elimination of minority interest accounting in results of operations with
earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests reported as part of consolidated earnings.
Additionally, SFAS 160 revises the accounting for both increases and decreases in a parents
controlling ownership interest. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008, with early adoption prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting
SFAS 160 on its financial position, cash flows and results of operations.
3. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
At March 31, 2008, short-term investments were classified as available-for-sale securities,
except for restricted cash, and are reported at fair value as follows:
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Gross |
|
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Gross |
|
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| |
|
Gross Amortized |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
Estimated |
|
| |
|
Cost |
|
|
Gains |
|
|
Losses |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Money market securities |
|
$ |
12,305 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
12,305 |
|
Asset backed |
|
|
22,092 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
22,257 |
|
Mortgage backed |
|
|
9,801 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,984 |
|
Corporate obligations |
|
|
14,391 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
(65 |
) |
|
|
14,421 |
|
US Government and agency obligations |
|
|
8,752 |
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,854 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
67,341 |
|
|
$ |
558 |
|
|
$ |
(78 |
) |
|
$ |
67,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Recorded as: |
|
|
|
|
Cash equivalents |
|
$ |
12,305 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
|
55,516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
67,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
At March 31, 2008, the fair value of the Companys investments that had been in an unrealized
loss position for over twelve months was $92,300 and the related unrealized loss was approximately
$500.
8
The estimated fair value of short-term investments classified by date of contractual maturity
at March 31, 2008 were as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Due within one year or less |
|
$ |
39,540 |
|
Due after one year through two years |
|
|
5,609 |
|
Due after two years through four years |
|
|
22,672 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
67,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements
The Company adopted SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008, for all its financial assets and
liabilities that are recognized or disclosed
at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a
material impact on the Companys condensed consolidated financial statements. SFAS 157 requires
disclosure that establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair
value measurements. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, SFAS 157
establishes a fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in valuation techniques. There
are three broad levels to the fair value hierarchy of inputs to fair value. Level 1 is the highest
priority and Level 3 is the lowest priority and are as follows:
| |
|
|
Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets
or liabilities in active markets; |
| |
| |
|
|
Level 2: Inputs reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that
are not active; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs
other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or the liability, or inputs that
are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market date by correlation or
other means; |
| |
| |
|
|
Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting the Companys own assumptions incorporated in
valuation techniques used to determine fair value. These assumptions are required to be
consistent with market participant assumptions that are reasonably available. |
The Company measures and reports certain financial assets at fair value on a
recurring basis, including its investments in money market funds and available-for-sale securities. At March 31, 2008, there were no liabilities within the scope of SFAS 157.
At March 31, 2008 our available-for-sale short-term investments, measured at fair value on a
recurring basis, by level within the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Money market securities |
|
$ |
12,305 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
12,305 |
|
Asset backed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,257 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,257 |
|
Mortgage backed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,984 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,984 |
|
Corporate obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,421 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,421 |
|
US Government and agency obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,854 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,854 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
12,305 |
|
|
$ |
55,516 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
67,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value of the Companys investments in money market funds
approximates their face value. Such instruments are included in cash and cash equivalents.
9
4. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and dilutive net income (loss) per
share for the periods indicated:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
| |
|
March 31 |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands, except per |
|
| |
|
share data) |
|
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,261 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,105 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
23,450 |
|
|
|
22,008 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
23,450 |
|
|
|
22,008 |
|
Net loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
Diluted |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
The following table sets forth potential common shares that are not included in the diluted
net income (loss) per share calculation because to do so would be anti-dilutive for the periods
presented:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Stock options to purchase common stock |
|
|
4,296 |
|
|
|
4,342 |
|
Warrants to purchase common stock |
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
2,899 |
|
Nonvested common stock |
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted stock issuable |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,677 |
|
|
|
7,241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
Stock option plans
Following the Companys initial public offering, any shares that were reserved but not issued
under the 1999 Stock Option Plan (the 1999 Plan) were made available under the 2004 Equity
Incentive Plan (the 2004 Plan), and any shares that would have otherwise returned to the 1999
Plan will be made available for issuance under the 2004 Plan. The 1999 Plan will continue to govern
awards granted thereunder prior to the Companys initial public offering. The 2004 Plan is an
omnibus stock plan which provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, stock
appreciation rights, performance units and performance shares to the Companys employees, directors
and consultants.
The number of shares initially reserved for issuance under the 2004 Plan is 1,000,000 plus an
increase to include the following: the number of shares that have been reserved but not issued
under the 1999 Plan, any shares returned to the 1999 Plan, and an annual increase added on the
first day of each fiscal year beginning in 2006 equal to the least of (a) 1,666,666 shares, (b) 4%
of the outstanding shares on such date, or (c) an amount determined by the Companys Board of
Directors (BOD). Pursuant to this requirement, on
January 1, 2008 and 2007 respectively, an
additional 945,621 shares and 864,905 shares respectively, were added to the plan, reserved for
issuance and registered for sale under
Form S-8.
Other stock options
In September 2007, the BOD approved the issuance of 180,000 shares of common stock underlying
options issued outside the Companys stock option plans. The nonstatutory stock options (NSO)
were granted in connection with the employment of the Companys new Senior Vice President of Sales
and Operations and the new Vice President and General Counsel. Subject to customary terms of a
change in control agreement, these options vest over a four-year period with one-fourth (1/4) of
the shares vesting one year after the vesting commencement date and an additional one-forty eighth
(1/48) of the shares vesting on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until all such
shares are exercisable. Options expire after ten years.
10
Stock-based compensation expense
The impact on our results of operations of recording stock-based compensation for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands, except per share data) |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
$ |
139 |
|
Product development |
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
262 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
537 |
|
|
|
540 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
1,009 |
|
|
|
823 |
|
Tax effect on stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(329 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net effect on net income |
|
$ |
1,009 |
|
|
$ |
494 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect on earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the Companys pro forma disclosures prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R) the Company
accounted for forfeitures upon occurrence. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the
time of grant and revised if necessary in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from
those estimates. The Company estimated expected forfeitures based on various factors including
employee class and historical experience. As of March 31, 2008, there was $7.5 million of
unrecorded total stock-based compensation, after estimated forfeitures, related to unvested stock
options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining recognition
period of 2.6 years. As of March 31, 2008, there was $1.2 million of unrecorded stock-based
compensation related to unvested restricted stock. That cost is expected to be recognized over a
weighted average remaining recognition period of 3.2 years.
Valuation assumptions
SFAS 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the
date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is
ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service period in the
Companys financial statements. In connection with the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company
reassessed its valuation technique and related assumptions.
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life and interest
rates. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Companys common stock
and consideration of other relevant factors such as the volatility assumptions of guideline
companies. The expected life of options granted is estimated by taking the average of the vesting
term and the contractual term (simplified method) of the
option as provided by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107
(SAB 107). The Company adopted Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 110
(SAB 110) which amends SAB 107 allowing the
continued use, under certain circumstances, of the simplified method beyond
December 31, 2007.
The assumptions used for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and the resulting
estimates of weighted average fair value per share of options granted during those periods are as
follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
Expected volatility |
|
|
44 |
% |
|
|
51 |
% |
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
2.8 |
% |
|
|
4.5-4.8 |
% |
Expected life (years) |
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
Weighted-average fair value of options granted |
|
$ |
2.55 |
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
11
Stock option and stock award activity
A summary of the Companys stock option activity for the period indicated is as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Number of |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Contractual |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
| |
|
Shares |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Life (Years) |
|
|
Intrinsic Value |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Outstanding at January 1, 2008 |
|
|
4,318 |
|
|
$ |
7.66 |
|
|
|
8.19 |
|
|
$ |
1,901 |
|
Options granted |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
5.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercised |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
1.76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options forfeited or expired |
|
|
(75 |
) |
|
|
9.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2008 |
|
|
4,294 |
|
|
|
7.61 |
|
|
|
7.54 |
|
|
|
1,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2008 |
|
|
4,048 |
|
|
|
7.65 |
|
|
|
7.43 |
|
|
|
1,699 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable at March 31, 2008 |
|
|
2,065 |
|
|
$ |
7.71 |
|
|
|
6.07 |
|
|
$ |
1,662 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options generally vest over a four-year period with one-fourth (1/4) of the shares vesting one
year after the vesting commencement date, and an additional one-forty eighth (1/48) of the shares
vesting on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until all such shares are exercisable.
Options expire after ten years.
Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Companys closing stock price
on the last trading day of the fiscal period, which was $5.24 on March 31, 2008, and the exercise
price for the options that were in-the-money at March 31, 2008. The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of March 31, 2008 was 407,000. Total
intrinsic value of options exercised was $5,000 and $81,000 for the three month periods ended March
31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively.
The Company settles employee stock option exercises with newly issued common shares.
The Companys 2004 stock plan also allows for the issuance of restricted stock. The restricted
stock awards have the voting rights of common stock and the shares underlying the restricted stock
awards are considered issued and outstanding. The Company expenses the cost of restricted stock
awards, which is determined to be the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant, ratably
over the period during which the restrictions lapse. Stock-based compensation expense related to
restricted stock for the three month period ended March 31, 2008
was $203,000, including $109,000 accrued for unissued stock
awards under a management incentive plan. No stock-based compensation
expense related to restricted stock was recorded for the three month
period ended March 31, 2007.
A summary of the Companys stock award activity for the period indicated is as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Average Grant Date |
| |
|
Number of |
|
Fair Value |
| |
|
Shares |
|
Per Share |
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
Nonvested at January 1, 2008
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
$ |
6.68 |
|
Shares granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares vested
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested at March 31, 2008
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
$ |
6.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6. INCOME TAXES
At the end of each interim period, the Company calculates an effective tax rate based on the
Companys best estimate of the tax provision (benefit) that will be provided for the full year,
stated as a percentage of estimated annual pre-tax income (loss). The tax provision (benefit) for
the interim period is determined using this estimated annual effective tax rate.
We have recorded a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets at March 31, 2008,
due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets, primarily
consisting of net operating loss carryforwards, before they expire. We regularly
12
review deferred tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation allowance based on
historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, and the expected timing of the
reversals of existing temporary differences. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that we
will realize the benefit of all or some of our deferred tax assets, we will reduce or eliminate the
valuation allowance and will record a significant benefit to our results of operations. In the
event we were to determine that we would be able to realize all of our deferred tax assets in the
future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would increase net income in the period such
determination was made.
Based on the full valuation allowance and the taxable loss for the three months ended March
31, 2008, the Company has not recorded a tax provision or benefit.
In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109 (FIN 48). The Company adopted the provision of
FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and we recognized no material adjustment in the liability for
unrecognized income tax benefits. We do not have any material accrued interest or penalties
associated with any unrecognized tax benefits. We will account for any interest related to
uncertain tax positions as interest expense, and for penalties as tax expense. We do not believe it
is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next
twelve months. There were no material changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of
March 31, 2008. We are subject to taxation in the US and various state jurisdictions. The tax years
2002-2007 remain open to examination by the federal and most state tax authorities.
7. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) and unrealized gains (losses) on
investments. Comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated is comprised of the following:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,261 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,105 |
) |
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in accumulated unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax |
|
|
292 |
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(6,969 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,984 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company leases office space under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration
dates through May 2013.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases at March 31, 2008 are as
follows, in thousands:
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Operating |
|
| Year ending December 31, |
|
Leases |
|
2008 |
|
$ |
1,805 |
|
2009 |
|
|
1,946 |
|
2010 |
|
|
1,795 |
|
2011 |
|
|
1,754 |
|
2012 |
|
|
691 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total minimum lease payments |
|
$ |
8,025 |
|
|
|
|
|
Legal proceedings
On May 4, 2007, the Company was named in a class action lawsuit filed in United States
District Court for the Central District of California, Lubocki, et al v. ZipRealty, by four former
employee agents of the Company on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated. The complaint
alleged, among other things, that the Companys policies for expense allowances and expense
reimbursement in place prior to October 2005, and its policy for commission payments to agents for
transactions that do not close during the period of employment, violate applicable law. The Company
reached a settlement agreement which called for a payment of $3,550,000 and, as a
13
result, the Company recorded a charge in that amount during the quarter ended September 30,
2007. The settlement agreement included a full release from any further liability on the matters
raised in the complaint. The settlement agreement received court approval on March 10, 2008. The
Company made the payment under the settlement agreement in March 2008.
On May 18, 2007, the Company was named in a class action lawsuit filed in the Superior Court
of California, County of Alameda, Crystal Alexander, et al. v. ZipRealty, by a former employee
agent of the Company. The complaint sought monetary relief and alleged, among other things, that
the Companys practices for compensating agents and reimbursing expenses violate applicable law
regarding the payment of minimum wages and overtime. The Company reached a settlement agreement
which called for a payment of $600,000, plus applicable payroll
taxes, and including a full release of all claims for unpaid wages
through December 31, 2007 for the period covering the first two weeks of employment, during which
time the California ZipAgents received on-boarding training. The
settlement agreement is pending court approval. Accordingly, the
Company recorded a charge in the amount of $625,000 during the
quarter ended March 31, 2008.
On March 29, 2006, the Company filed a claim in the Superior Court of California, County of
San Diego, for malpractice against a law firm that provided counseling in connection with certain
employment matters, including wage and expense issues, in California Superior Court, County of
San Francisco, ZipRealty Inc., v. Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP, Michael W. Kelly Esq., et. al.
While the Company believes it has a good case, it is too early to determine the likelihood of a
recovery, or to estimate the amount of recovery, if any.
On March 12, 2008, a putative class action, entitled Simon et al. v. ZipRealty, Inc., was
filed against the Company in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The complaint, representing a
class of all California sales agents and a nationwide class of sales agents under the federal Fair
Labor Standards Act, claims that those sales agents are not exempt from minimum wage and overtime
laws, and brings claims for failure to pay minimum wage and overtime, failure to maintain and
provide accurate payroll records, failure to provide meal and rest breaks, and failure to reimburse
expenses, as well as a claim under California Business and Professions Code Section 17200, all
related to the same conduct. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, interest,
penalties, injunctive relief, and attorneys fees and costs. The
Company is in the initial stage of discovery and investigation and has not yet had the opportunity to analyze the allegations in detail. However, the
Company believes that its sales agents are properly classified as outside salespeople exempt from
applicable state and federal minimum wage and overtime requirements. Accordingly, the Company
intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit. No estimate of possible loss, if any, can be made at
this time.
The Company is not currently subject to any other material legal proceedings. From time to
time the Company has been, and it currently is, a party to litigation and subject to claims
incident to the ordinary course of the business. The amounts in dispute in these matters are not
material to the Company, and management believes that the resolution of these proceedings will not
have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.
Indemnifications
The Company has entered into various indemnification agreements in the ordinary course of our
business. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company has agreed to indemnify, hold harmless and
reimburse the indemnified parties, which include certain of our service providers as well as
others, in connection with certain occurrences. In addition, the corporate charter documents
require the Company to provide indemnification rights to the Companys directors and officers to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, and permit the Company to
provide indemnification rights to our other employees and agents, for certain events that occur
while these persons are serving in these capacities. The Company has also entered into
indemnification agreements with the Companys directors and each of our officers with a title of
Vice President or higher. Further, the underwriting agreement for the Companys initial public
offering requires the Company to indemnify the underwriters and certain of their affiliates and
agents for certain liabilities arising from the offering and the related registration statement.
The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under
these indemnification agreements is unspecified. The Company is not aware of any material
indemnification liabilities for actions, events or occurrences that have occurred to date. The
Company maintains insurance on some of the liabilities the Company has agreed to indemnify,
including liabilities incurred by the Companys directors and officers while acting in these
capacities, subject to certain exclusions and limitations of coverage.
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9. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On April 4, 2008, the Company repurchased 3,486,300 shares of common stock directly from an
investor. The shares were purchased in a privately negotiated transaction for a purchase price of
$5.00 per share for a total purchase price of $17,431,500.
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:
The following discussion should be read together with our financial statements and related
notes appearing elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements based
upon current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons,
including but not limited to those set forth in Risk Factors in Item 1A of Part II of this report
and elsewhere in this report. Except as otherwise required by law, we do not intend to update any
information contained in these forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
General
We are a full-service residential real estate brokerage firm, using our user-friendly website
and employee real estate agents to provide homebuyers and sellers with high-quality service and
value. Our website provides users with access to comprehensive local Multiple Listing Services home
listings data, as well as other relevant market and neighborhood information. Our proprietary
business management system and technology platform help to reduce costs, allowing us to pass on
significant savings to consumers. We share a portion of our commissions with our buyer clients in
the form of a cash rebate, and typically represent our seller clients at fee levels below those
offered by most traditional brokerage companies in our markets. Generally, our seller clients pay a
total brokerage fee of 4.5% to 5.0% of the transaction value, of which 2.5% to 3.0% is paid to
agents representing buyers.
Our net revenues are comprised primarily of commissions earned as agents for buyers and
sellers in residential real estate transactions. We record revenues net of rebate (or, in New
Jersey, net of charitable donation) or commission discount, if any, paid or offered to our clients.
Our net revenues are principally driven by the number of transactions we close and the average net
revenue per transaction. Average net revenue per transaction is a function of the home sales price
and percentage commission we receive on each transaction and varies significantly by market. We
also receive revenues from certain co-marketing arrangements,
pursuant to which we receive compensation for the fair value of
certain marketing services we provide. Generally, non-commission revenues
represent less than 5% of our net revenues during any period. We routinely explore our options for
entering into additional co-marketing arrangements or offering other services related to the
purchase, sale and ownership of a home, including services related to title insurance, escrow,
mortgage, home warranty insurance and property and casualty insurance (including auto insurance),
which we refer to as core services.
We were founded in 1999, currently have operations in 34 markets, and as of March 31, 2008
employed 2,536 people, of whom 2,285 were ZipAgents. During 2007 we commenced operations in Naples
and Tucson in March, Denver in April, Jacksonville in May, Salt Lake City and Richmond in July,
Virginia Beach and Charlotte in August, Raleigh-Durham in September, and Westchester County in
December. To date in 2008 we have commenced operations in Long Island in March and have plans to
enter one to three additional markets depending on market conditions.
Trends in our business and financial and real estate markets
Softness in the residential real estate market. Although our business has experienced
increasing revenue growth on an annual basis since our inception in 1999, primarily as a result of
increased transaction volume and increased average net revenue per transaction, recently revenue
growth has slowed based on what we believe to be a transition period in the housing market and the
effects of the recent changes in the mortgage lending business. In the three months ended March 31,
2008 we generated $20.6 million in net revenues, compared to $23.4 million in the three months
ended March 31, 2007. The number of our closed transactions increased to approximately 3,121 in
three months ended March 31, 2008 from approximately 3,110 in the three months ended March 31,
2007, and our average net revenue per transaction decreased to approximately $6,447 in the three
months ended March 31, 2008 from approximately $7,291 in the three months ended March 31, 2007, a
decrease of approximately 12%. Our average net revenue per transaction decreased over this period
of time in both existing and new markets, as well as in California markets and in markets outside
of California. We experienced a significant increase in the portion of our business composed of non-traditional
transactions, meaning foreclosures, REO bank transactions and short sales, in the first quarter of
2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. Non-traditional transactions typically involve lower
net transaction revenues and, given the additional financial pressures in these deals, take longer
to close and produce lower closed ratios than traditional transactions.
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Our transaction volume is primarily driven by the number of ZipAgents we employ, their
productivity, and market conditions. The number of ZipAgents we employ has increased to 2,285 at
March 31, 2008 from 1,875 at March 31, 2007. The average productivity of our total agent force was 0.48 and 0.57 transactions per ZipAgent per
month during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. We calculate the
average monthly productivity of our ZipAgents for the quarter by dividing the average monthly
number of transactions closed during the quarter by the average number of ZipAgents employed at the
beginning of each month during the quarter. As we introduce new initiatives to improve agent
productivity, we may experience temporary declines in the total number of agents although, overall,
we expect to continue to increase the number of agents. As we add additional ZipAgents, we believe
long term we will continue to increase our transaction volume and grow our business, although this
may not be the case if the market continues to soften. If the current softness of the residential
real estate market continues or worsens, we expect to see a reduction in the number of licensed
REALTORS® nationwide and in our largest markets. For example, the National Association of REALTORS®
has reported that its total membership of REALTORS® fell approximately 5.9% from August 31, 2007 to
January 31, 2008. Further, according to the California Department of Real Estate, in December 2007,
the total number of real estate licensees in California dropped by 0.1% month-over-month, the first
decline in its agent rolls in over five years, and salesperson examinations in that state decreased
by 85% from December 2006 to December 2007. We expect that overall declines in agent ranks will be
comprised disproportionately of less skilled real estate agents, with the better agents continuing
in the business. We also expect that the prolonged softening may deal a critical blow to some of
our competitors. It is our hope that these events, if they occur, will increase the percentage of
highly skilled real estate agents on the market, and reduce the competition for such agents, but we
cannot know whether this result will occur, or whether the overall decline in the number of real
estate agents will make it more difficult for us to employ qualified agents and grow our business.
Since early September of 2005 we have experienced significant increases in the available
inventories of homes for sale in many of our markets, as well as an increase in the amount of time
listings are taking to sell. For example, average monthly inventories in our existing markets
increased approximately 29% in 2007 compared to 2006. Pricing increases have also slowed, and some
markets have shown declines in median selling prices over this period. In some markets, home prices
have remained relatively stable, but we believe that buyer expectation that prices will decline has
resulted in fewer transactions, as buyers postpone transactions until such declines materialize.
For example, according to NAR, nationally sales of existing homes fell 19.3% year-over-year in
March 2008 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.93 million. In the State of California, the
California Association of REALTORS® reported that sales of existing homes declined 24.5% and the
median price of existing homes fell 29.0% year-over-year during the month of March 2008. In our
opinion, these data points support the notion that the housing market is in a period of transition,
with more power shifting to buyers from sellers, and that the residential real estate market may
continue to soften in the foreseeable future. During this period of transition we may continue to
experience reduced growth rates and decreased agent productivity versus our historical levels as
buyers react cautiously to perceived changing market conditions. Additionally, we currently intend to open
significantly fewer new markets in 2008 compared to 2007. Nevertheless, we have recently seen evidence of declining home sales prices which, at some point,
should lead to an increase in the volume of transactions and the stabilization of the residential
real estate market.
As a result of this contraction in the residential real estate market, our net transaction
revenues in existing markets (markets opened before January 1, 2007), decreased to $18.6 million in
the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $22.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Although we have increased our market share in almost all of our existing markets, our net
transaction revenues have decreased in these markets due to a decline
our transaction volume
combined with a decrease in net revenue per transaction. New market net transaction revenues
increased by $1.6 million resulting in an overall decrease in
net transaction revenues of approximately $2.6 million.
In addition, we believe that customer acquisition is one of our core competencies, and while
we anticipate that the difficulty of acquiring a sufficient number of leads online may increase
over time, we expect that we can mitigate some of that impact with repeat and referral business, as
well as by increasing our visibility and credibility to potential clients over time. Since our
market share has averaged less than 1% over the past year in our existing markets in aggregate, we
believe that there is an opportunity to increase further our market share, even if the overall
level of sales continue to decline due to changing consumer sentiment, interest rate increases, credit
tightening, or other economic or geopolitical factors.
As we implement our business plan for 2008, a key area of focus is on our existing markets,
with a goal of driving their efficiency, productivity and profits. Nevertheless, our losses are
likely to continue into 2008, although not likely to the extent experienced in 2007.
Impact of softened residential real estate market on availability of mortgages. We also
believe that the prolonged softening of the residential real estate market has been negatively impacted by, the market for home loans, which is a critical market to our
business. As home prices decline, and homeowners find themselves with less equity in their homes,
lenders generally become less willing to refinance existing mortgages or to extend home equity
loans. We believe several effects could result, including homeowners being less willing to spend,
which would have a dampening effect on the overall economy, including the demand for real estate.
Also, as home equity decreases, homeowners may be more likely to default on their home loans.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the number of short sales (which are
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sales typically involving distressed properties) increased during the calendar year 2007.
These defaults can fuel a spiral of further credit tightening and even less availability of credit. In addition, as more distressed properties are offered for sale, the
resulting increase in inventory of homes for sale could put further downward pressure on home
prices. As the rates in many adjustable rate mortgages reset at higher rates, the number of
distressed properties entering the residential real estate market should increase. We believe we
have already seen signs of this phenomenon in early 2008, although we expect significant variation
from market to market.
Federal legislation has recently been enacted that, among other objectives, seeks to bolster
the market for home loans by raising the loan amount that qualifies as a conforming loan up to a
maximum of $729,750 in certain markets. There can be no assurance that this legislation will
accomplish its desired objectives, or that it will have a positive impact on the residential real
estate market. The legislation with respect to conforming loans is
expected to take effect July 1, 2008 and expire in December
2008, and there is no guarantee that this legislation will be extended to cover future time
periods. As this legislation is implemented, a variety of
factors could cause unintended and possibly negative fluctuations in the number of completed
residential real estate transactions. For example, homebuyers may decide to postpone home purchases
from early 2008 into later in the year to await the implementation of the legislation, or
homebuyers may decide to accelerate home purchases from early 2009 into late 2008 to take advantage
of the legislation before its current expiration date. Any of these events could significantly and
negatively impact our operating results.
Changes to our business model. Over time, we have made significant adjustments to our cost
structure and revenue model in order to improve the financial results of our business. We have
modified the compensation and expense reimbursement structure for ZipAgents over time, and we most
recently changed our commission and/or expense structure in April 2007. Currently, our ZipAgents
earn a compensation package consisting of a percentage of the commissions they generate for us that
ranges from 35% to 80% or more, based on their productivity, of our net revenues after deducting
certain other items. We also provide our ZipAgents with health, retirement and other benefits, and
pay for certain marketing costs and other business expenses. ZipAgents may also be granted equity
incentives based on performance. We may choose or be required to make further modifications to our
compensation structure in the future. For example, Nevada recently approved legislation that
preempts the federal outside sales exemption from paying minimum wages in that state. That
legislation took effect on November 1, 2007. Accordingly, on November 1, 2007 we began paying
minimum wage and, where required, overtime, to our ZipAgents in Nevada. The minimum wage payments
will be offset against future commissions earned, if any.
We have lowered our buyer rebate percentage several times to improve our revenue model. In
March 2004, we reduced our buyer rebate to 20% of our commission from 25% of our commission, up to
a maximum of 1% of the home sales price. The effect of the buyer rebate reduction was recognized
over a phase-in period of approximately two to four months as the reduction only affected new
clients immediately while existing clients continued under the prior rebate policy for transactions
already in progress and for transactions opened within a short period after the reduction was
announced. We implemented these buyer rebate percentage reductions for several reasons, including
our determination that our growing reputation for superior service allowed us not to compete solely
on price, our efforts to improve our revenue model and agent compensation model, and our desire to
offer a simplified rebate structure to our clients.
In connection with entry into the Greater Philadelphia area, we entered the New Jersey market,
where the payment of cash rebates is currently not permitted by law. Consequently, in New Jersey,
in lieu of offering a cash rebate to our buyers, we make a donation to a local charity through
United Way equal to 20% of our commission in cash upon closing.
Historically, most of our business has been derived from representing buyers in their home
purchases. One of our growth strategies is to increase the portion of our business that is composed
of representing sellers in their home listings. In addition, a general softening in the residential
real estate market, as well as other factors, may cause an increase in the percentage of our
business that is composed of representing home sellers rather than home buyers. As the portion of
our listings business increases, and as listings take longer to sell in a market with higher
inventory levels, marketing costs generally increase, and commissions can decrease as buyers demand
more last-minute concessions in price before closing. If the softened market persists, we may incur
greater listing marketing costs and achieve lower commissions and lower profit margins.
Fluctuations in quarterly profitability. We achieved profitability in the first quarter of
2005 for the first time in our seasonally slow first quarter, primarily as a result of higher
average net transaction revenues and increased transactional volume. We experienced a net loss in
the second quarter of 2005 as a result of a one-time charge relating to the settlement of a class
action lawsuit; we would have been profitable excluding the effect of this settlement. We achieved
profitability in the third and fourth quarters of 2005, but because of
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seasonality (seasonal fluctuations in our business) and new market expansion as well as
softening in the residential real estate market, we experienced a net loss in the first and second
quarters of 2006. We achieved profitability in the third quarter of 2006, but experienced a net
loss in the fourth quarter of 2006 as a result of decreased transaction volume due to our
seasonally slow fourth quarter and continued market softness. In 2007, we reported losses in each
quarter due to various factors including seasonality, new market expansion and ongoing market
softness. The third and fourth quarter losses were additionally impacted by tightening in the
availability of home mortgage credit and the litigation settlement described in Part II,
Item 1, Legal Proceedings.
Industry declines in commission percentages. Over the past several years there has been a
decline in average commissions charged in the real estate brokerage industry, in part due to
companies such as ours exerting downward pressure on prices with a lower commission structure, as
well as by what, in our view, appears to be an increase in consumer willingness to negotiate fees
with their agents. We believe that many consumers are focusing on absolute commission dollars paid
to sell their home as opposed to accepting a traditional standard market commission percentage.
According to REAL Trends, while the average commission percentage decreased from 5.44% in 2000 to
5.18% in 2006, total commission revenues increased from $42.6 billion to $59.7 billion during that
same period, influenced by steadily increasing sales volumes and higher median sales prices. In the
event that commissions continue to decline, we have designed our business model around an
attractive cost structure and operational efficiencies which we believe should allow us to continue
to offer our services at prices less than those charged by the majority of our competitors.
Changes in competitive landscape. In addition, the competitive landscape in the residential
real estate industry is in the midst of significant changes as new business models enter the
marketplace. For example, Redfin Corporation has introduced a discount brokerage model (currently
in three states and the District of Columbia) that allows clients to make offers to purchase homes
and to list homes for sale directly online, while receiving a two-thirds rebate of their
commission. BuySide Realty, another discount brokerage, employs agents who are paid salaries and
bonuses based on customer service, not commissions, while offering a 75% rebate of their
commission. RealEstate.com, which is owned by LendingTree, LLC, acts as a lead generator for real
estate brokers, and has opened a direct to consumer brokerage service. Trulia, Inc.
operates a residential real estate search engine to connect consumers directly to listings on agent
and broker websites. These companies have limited operating histories upon which to evaluate their
operations and future prospects. However, in order to be successful, our business model must remain
attractive to consumers so that we can compete successfully with these newer models as they expand
into our marketplaces. In addition, to remain economically viable, we will need to be able to
compete effectively with these new entrants for the acquisition of agents and leads.
Industry seasonality and cyclicality. The residential real estate brokerage market is
influenced both by annual seasonality factors, as well as by overall economic cycles. While
individual markets vary, transaction volume nationally tends to progressively increase from January
through the summer months, then gradually slows over the last three to four months of the calendar
year. Revenues in each quarter are significantly affected by activity during the prior quarter,
given the typical 30- to 45-day time lag between contract execution and closing. While we believe
that, until fairly recently, seasonality has been somewhat masked by our overall growth, we have
been, and believe we will continue to be, influenced by overall market activity and seasonal
forces. We generally experience the most significant impact in the first and fourth quarters of
each year, when our revenues are typically lower relative to the second and third quarters as a
result of traditionally slower home sales activity and reduced listings inventory between
Thanksgiving and Presidents Day.
We believe that the overall market activity, macroeconomic environment, and periodic business
cycles can significantly influence the general health of the residential real estate market at any
given point in time. Generally, when economic times are fair or good, the housing market tends to
perform well. If the economy is weak, interest rates dramatically increase, or there are market
events such as terrorist attacks or threats, the outbreak of war or geopolitical uncertainties, the
housing market likely would be negatively impacted. Recently, changes in the mortgage market,
including the subprime market, have negatively affected the buying and selling of real estate. The
tightening of financing and credit standards has tended to depress real estate activity. Also,
there have been numerous reports about the effects of subprime mortgages on the general real estate
market. These reports also tend to have a dampening effect on the general real estate market.
Historical variations in U.S. interest rates. Over the past several decades, the national
residential real estate market has demonstrated significant growth, with annual existing home sales
volume growing from 1.6 million in 1970 to approximately 7.1 million in 2005 and median existing
home sales prices increasing every year during that period. While the volume of existing home sales
has declined for at least two consecutive years only twice since 1970, namely 1979 through 1982 and
1989 through 1990, sales did fall from their 2005 peak to approximately 6.5 million in 2006 and
fell again in 2007 to approximately 5.7 million, and there are forecasts that predict sales will
continue their decline in 2008. Sales volume changes are sensitive to, but do not always follow,
interest rate changes. The declines in sales volumes in the 1979 through 1982 period occurred while
interest rates were at historic highs, with
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long-term U.S. Treasury rates exceeding 10%. However, with rates remaining at similarly high
levels, sales increased during the period from 1983 through 1986. Average interest rates were lower
during the second period of consecutive year declines, 1989 through 1990, than they had been in the
expansion period ending in 1988.
Many factors influence an individuals decision to buy or sell a home, and we believe that no
one factor alone determines the health of the residential real estate market. For example, a rise
in interest rates, tighter lending standards and/or disruptions in the availability of mortgage
funds could lead to lower demand for housing or put downward pressure
on prices because these factors would increase buyers potential
monthly housing payments or reduce the amount they could pay
for a home. However, it is also our experience that lifestyle influences, such as job relocation,
changes in family dynamics or a desire to change neighborhoods, significantly impact the demand for
residential real estate. In addition, periods of interest rate increases are often characterized by
improving economic fundamentals, which can create jobs, increase incomes and bolster consumer
confidence, all of which are factors that positively influence housing demand. It is difficult to
predict which influences will be strongest, and ultimately whether the housing market will be
affected positively or negatively when faced with numerous influences.
While it is difficult to isolate the cause of recent transaction volume declines and pricing
growth slowing in the residential real estate market, such softening has been occurring since the
Fall of 2005 as interest rates have generally increased (subject to some recent fluctuations and
reductions), inventories have generally increased (but with significant variations in inventory
market to market), and credit standards and financing have tightened, as previously discussed
above. Other factors have likely contributed to the slowdown as well, such as high fuel prices,
persistent press coverage about residential real estate potentially being poised for a correction,
and the fact that prices had until that time been increasing at historically high rates. This rapid
price appreciation, which was well ahead of household income growth, along with increasing interest
rates has made housing less affordable, which has manifested itself in declining home ownership
rates, which peaked in 2004. With overall transaction activity declining and sales price increases
slowing, overall commissions generated in the industry could decline as well, potentially causing
the roughly $59.7 billion in annual commissions generated in 2006 to decline. However, should the
addressable market for our services decline somewhat in the near term due to decreasing sales
volume or prices, we believe the overall size of the market on an absolute basis will remain very
large, providing ample addressable opportunity for us to continue to grow our business through
increasing our market share.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs
and expenses and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and
assumptions. Accordingly, our actual results may differ from these estimates under different
assumptions or conditions.
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the notes to our consolidated
financial statements contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and of those
policies, we believe that the following accounting policies involve the greatest degree of judgment
and complexity. Accordingly, these are the policies we believe are the most critical to understand
and evaluate our financial condition and results of operations.
Revenue recognition
We derive the substantial majority of our revenues from commissions earned as agents for
buyers and sellers in residential real estate transactions. We recognize commission revenues upon
closing of a sale and purchase transaction, net of any rebate (or, in New Jersey, charitable
donation) or commission discount, or transaction fee adjustment, as evidenced by the closure of the
escrow or similar account and the transfer of these funds to all appropriate parties. We recognize
non-commission revenues from our other business relationships, such
as our mortgage marketing
relationships, as the fees are earned from the other party typically on a monthly fee basis.
Revenues are recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the price is fixed or
determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured and the transaction has been completed
Internal-use software and website development costs
We account for internal-use software and website development costs, including the development
of our ZipAgent Platform, in accordance with the guidance set forth in Statement of Position 98-1,
Accounting for the Cost of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use, and Emerging
Task Force Issue No. 00-02, Accounting for Website Development Costs. We capitalize the payroll and
direct payroll-related costs of employees who devote time to the development of internal-use
software. We amortize these
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costs over their estimated useful lives, which ranges between 15 to 24 months. Our judgment is
required in determining the point at which various projects enter the stages at which costs may be
capitalized, in assessing the ongoing value of the capitalized costs, and in determining the
estimated useful lives over which the costs are amortized. The estimated life is based on
managements judgment as to the product life cycle.
Stock-based compensation
SFAS 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R)), requires the measurement and
recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and
directors, including employee stock options and employee stock purchases, based on estimated fair
values. Under the fair value recognition provisions for SFAS 123(R), stock-based compensation cost
is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the awards expected to vest and
recognized as expense using the straight-line method over the requisite service period of the
award.
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life and interest
rates. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Companys common stock
and consideration of other relevant factors such as the volatility assumptions of peer companies.
The expected life of options is estimated by taking the average of the vesting term and the
contractual term of the option as provided by SAB 107. The Company estimates expected forfeitures
based on various factors, including employee class and historical experience.
The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to non-employees in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) and Emerging Task Force Issue No. 96-18, Accounting for Equity
Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling,
Goods or Services (EITF 96-18).
The accounting for and disclosure of employee and non-employee equity instruments, primarily
stock options and preferred and common stock warrants, requires judgment by management on a number
of assumptions, including the fair value of the underlying instrument, estimated lives of the
outstanding instruments, and the instruments volatility. Changes in key assumptions will impact
the valuation of such instruments.
Income taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from the differences between the tax basis of an
asset or liability and its reported amount in the financial statements as well as from net
operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax amounts are determined by using the tax
rates expected to be in effect when the taxes will actually be paid or refunds received, as
provided under current tax law. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce
deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense or benefit is the tax
payable or refundable, respectively, for the period plus or minus the change during the period in
deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Historically, we have recorded a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, the majority
of which relate to net operating loss tax carryforwards generated before we achieved profitability.
During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company concluded that a full valuation allowance should be
reinstated, a significant portion of which had originally been released in 2005, against its net
deferred tax assets at December 31, 2006 as available evidence, including recent historical results
and managements expectations for the future, supported a more likely than not conclusion that the
related deferred tax assets will not be realized.
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Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines
fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting
principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any
new fair value measurements, but provides guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a fair
value hierarchy used to classify the source of the information. In February 2008, the FASB
released FASB Staff Position Effective Date of FASB
Statement 157 (FSP FAS 157-2) which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and
nonfinancial liabilities except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) to fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2008 The Company adopted the required provisions of SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008;
the partial adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial
position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 3. Short-Term Investments and Fair Value
Measurements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities (SFAS 159) which permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at
fair value. The Company adopted SFAS 159 and, currently, has not expanded its eligible items
subject to the fair option under SFAS 159.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (Revised), Business Combinations
(SFAS 141(R)). The standard changes the accounting for business combinations including the
measurement of acquirer shares issued in consideration for a business combination, the recognition
of contingent consideration, the accounting for preacquisition gain and loss contingencies, the
recognition of capitalized in-process research and development, the accounting for
acquisition-related restructuring cost accruals, the treatment of acquisition related transaction
costs and the recognition of changes in the acquirers income tax valuation allowance. SFAS 141(R)
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 141(R) on its consolidated
financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS 160). The standard changes the accounting
for noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated financial statements including the
requirements to classify noncontrolling interests as a component of consolidated stockholders
equity, and the elimination of minority interest accounting in results of operations with
earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests reported as part of consolidated earnings.
Additionally, SFAS 160 revises the accounting for both increases and decreases in a parents
controlling ownership interest. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008, with early adoption prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting
SFAS 160 on its financial position, cash flows and results of operations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our operating results for the periods indicated:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
| |
|
(In thousands, except per |
|
| Statements of operations data (unaudited) |
|
share data) |
|
Net transaction revenues |
|
$ |
20,121 |
|
|
$ |
22,675 |
|
Referral and other revenues |
|
|
503 |
|
|
|
707 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues |
|
|
20,624 |
|
|
|
23,382 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
12,342 |
|
|
|
13,075 |
|
Product development |
|
|
2,146 |
|
|
|
1,681 |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
10,028 |
|
|
|
8,847 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
3,682 |
|
|
|
3,968 |
|
Litigation |
|
|
625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
28,823 |
|
|
|
27,571 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(8,199 |
) |
|
|
(4,189 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
911 |
|
|
|
1,088 |
|
Other income (expense), net |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense), net |
|
|
938 |
|
|
|
1,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(7,261 |
) |
|
|
(3,105 |
) |
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,261 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,105 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
Diluted |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.14 |
) |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
23,450 |
|
|
|
22,008 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
23,450 |
|
|
|
22,008 |
|
The following table presents our operating results as a percentage of net revenues for the
periods indicated:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
| |
|
March 31, |
| Statements of operations data (unaudited) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
Net transaction revenues |
|
|
97.6 |
% |
|
|
97.0 |
% |
Referral and other revenues |
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues |
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
59.8 |
|
|
|
55.9 |
|
Product development |
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
48.6 |
|
|
|
37.8 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
17.9 |
|
|
|
17.0 |
|
Litigation |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
139.7 |
|
|
|
117.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(39.7 |
) |
|
|
(17.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
Other income (expense) |
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense), net |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(35.2 |
) |
|
|
(13.2 |
) |
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
(35.2 |
)% |
|
|
(13.2 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
Other operating data
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
Number of markets (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets |
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
New markets |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of transactions closed during the period (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets |
|
|
2,785 |
|
|
|
3,109 |
|
|
|
(324 |
) |
|
|
(10.4 |
)% |
New markets |
|
|
336 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
335 |
|
|
|
33,500.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
3,121 |
|
|
|
3,110 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average net revenue per transaction (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets |
|
$ |
6,662 |
|
|
$ |
7,292 |
|
|
$ |
(630 |
) |
|
|
(8.6 |
)% |
New markets |
|
|
4,661 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
(1,339 |
) |
|
|
(22.3 |
)% |
All markets |
|
$ |
6,447 |
|
|
$ |
7,291 |
|
|
$ |
(844 |
) |
|
|
(11.6 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of ZipAgents at end of the period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets |
|
|
1,951 |
|
|
|
1,857 |
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
% |
New markets |
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
316 |
|
|
|
1,755.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All markets |
|
|
2,285 |
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
410 |
|
|
|
21.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
|
New markets are transferred to existing markets on January 1st
following the completion of their first full calendar year of
operation. The Tampa, Orlando, Minneapolis, Austin, Palm Beach and the
Greater Philadelphia Area markets opened during 2006 and, therefore,
completed their first full calendar year at of the end of 2007.
Accordingly, these markets were moved to existing markets as of
January 1, 2008 and are included in comparable existing markets for
all periods presented. |
| |
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets: |
|
|
|
|
| |
Atlanta, GA
|
|
Houston, TX
|
|
Phoenix, AZ |
Austin, TX
|
|
Las Vegas, NV
|
|
Sacramento, CA |
Baltimore, MD
|
|
Los Angeles, CA
|
|
San Diego, CA |
Boston, MD
|
|
Miami, FL
|
|
San Francisco Bay Area, CA |
Chicago, IL
|
|
Minneapolis, MN
|
|
Seattle, WA |
Dallas, TX
|
|
Orange County, CA
|
|
Tampa, FL |
Fresno/Central Valley, CA
|
|
Orlando, FL
|
|
Washington, DC |
Greater Philadelphia Area, PA
|
|
Palm Beach, FL |
|
|
| |
New markets and the month opened: |
|
|
|
|
| |
Naples, FL
|
|
|
|
March 2007 |
Tucson, AZ
|
|
|
|
March 2007 |
Denver, CO
|
|
|
|
April 2007 |
Jacksonville, FL
|
|
|
|
May 2007 |
Salt Lake City, UT
|
|
|
|
July 2007 |
Richmond, VA
|
|
|
|
July 2007 |
Virginia Beach, VA
|
|
|
|
August 2007 |
Charlotte, NC
|
|
|
|
August 2007 |
Raleigh-Durham, NC
|
|
|
|
September 2007 |
Westchester County, NY
|
|
|
|
December 2007 |
Long Island, NY
|
|
|
|
March 2008 |
22
| |
|
|
| (2) |
|
The term transaction refers to each representation of a buyer or seller in a real estate purchase or sale. |
| |
| (3) |
|
Average net revenue per transaction equals net transaction revenues divided by number of transactions with
respect to each period. |
Net transaction revenues
Net transaction revenues consist of commissions earned as agents to buyers and sellers on the
purchase or sale of real estate transactions, net of any rebate, commission discount or transaction
fee adjustment.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Net transaction revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets |
|
$ |
18,555 |
|
|
$ |
22,669 |
|
|
$ |
(4,114 |
) |
|
|
(18.1 |
)% |
New markets |
|
|
1,566 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
1,560 |
|
|
|
26,000.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
20,121 |
|
|
$ |
22,675 |
|
|
$ |
(2,554 |
) |
|
|
(11.3 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in our net transaction revenues of approximately $2.6 million for the three months ended March
31, 2008 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007 was primarily due to an increase in net
transaction revenues of $1.6 million in our new markets offset by a decrease in net transaction
revenues of $4.1 million from our existing markets.
The decrease in net transaction revenues in our existing markets of $4.1 million or 18.1% was
driven primarily by a decrease in the number of transactions closed during the period of 324 closed
transactions or 10.4% combined with a decrease in average net revenue per transaction of $630 or
8.6%. The decrease in average net revenue per transaction was primarily attributable to an
increase in the number of foreclosure, bank REO and short sale transactions resulting from
slowdowns in the residential real estate market and ongoing tightening in the availability of
consumer mortgage financing as well as a continued shift of business into markets with lower
average housing prices.
The increase in net transaction revenues in our new markets of $1.6 million was driven by an
increase of 335 transactions closed during the period from the ten new markets opened during 2007;
only two of these new markets were open as of March 31, 2007. Both opened late in quarter and had
no significant activity for the quarter.
We expect that our net revenues for 2008 will increase primarily as a result of additional
transactions in our new markets as they add new ZipAgents and continue to achieve operating scale
in their markets.
Referral and other revenues
Referral and other revenues consist primarily of certain co-marketing agreements and
transaction referrals.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Referral and
other revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets |
|
$ |
79 |
|
|
$ |
67 |
|
|
$ |
12 |
|
|
|
17.9 |
% |
New markets |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Corporate |
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
640 |
|
|
|
(220 |
) |
|
|
(34.4 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
503 |
|
|
$ |
707 |
|
|
$ |
(204 |
) |
|
|
(28.9 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in corporate referral and other revenues was primarily attributable to reduced
fees from a marketing relationship relating to mortgage services resulting from the slowdown in the
residential real estate market and ongoing tightening in the availability of consumer mortgage
financing.
23
Cost of revenues
Our cost of revenues consists principally of commissions, related payroll taxes, benefits and
expense allowances and reimbursements paid to our ZipAgents, and the amortization of internal-use
software and website development costs which relate primarily to our ZAP technology.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets |
|
$ |
11,553 |
|
|
$ |
13,071 |
|
|
$ |
(1,518 |
) |
|
|
(11.6 |
)% |
New markets |
|
|
789 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
785 |
|
|
|
26,200.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
12,342 |
|
|
$ |
13,075 |
|
|
$ |
(733 |
) |
|
|
(5.6 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in cost of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the
three months ended March 31, 2007 was primarily related to the overall decrease in net transaction
revenue on which we pay agent commissions.
Cost of revenues decreased in our existing markets by approximately $1.5 million or 11.6% for
the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007. The cost
of revenues as a percentage of existing markets net transaction revenues increased by about 4.6
percentage points primarily due to increased agent expense reimbursements as well as the mix of agent
commissions paid which were additionally impacted by certain adjustments made to our agent
compensation plan to better motivate and retain our agents under the current market conditions.
Cost of revenues increased in our new markets by approximately $0.8 million due to the
increase in net transaction revenue during the period. The cost of revenues as a percentage of new
market net transaction revenues was 50.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The cost of
revenues percentage in new markets is expected to increase in the first year of operations as
increasing numbers of ZipAgents achieve higher commission splits and expense reimbursements as the
new markets mature.
We expect that our cost of revenues for 2008 will increase in absolute dollars on expected
increases in net transaction revenues and will decrease as a percentage of net transaction
revenues. The first quarter of each year is typically the seasonally slowest quarter of the year
with the highest cost of revenues percentage primarily attributable to relative fixed cost nature
of agent expense reimbursements.
Product development
Product development expenses include our information technology costs relating to the
maintenance of our website, proprietary technology platforms and system infrastructure. These
costs consist primarily of compensation and benefits for our product development and infrastructure
personnel, depreciation of software and equipment and infrastructure costs consisting primarily of
facilities, communications and other operating expenses.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Product development |
|
$ |
2,146 |
|
|
$ |
1,681 |
|
|
$ |
465 |
|
|
|
27.6 |
% |
The increase in product development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008
compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007 was due to growth in our business and consisted
of increases in salaries and benefits of approximately $0.1 million, technology infrastructure
costs of $0.3 million and depreciation of $0.1 million. As a percentage of net revenues, product
development expenses increased by 3.2 percentage points in the period due primarily to the growth
of our product development staff headcount to enhance our website, proprietary agent platform and
overall system infrastructure.
We expect that our product development expenses will increase in 2008 in absolute dollars and
remain relatively flat as a percentage of net revenues as we continue to grow our business and
enhance our technology systems to improve our ZipAgents efficiency and enhance features on our
website for consumers.
24
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for personnel
engaged in sales, sales support and customer service as well as promotional, advertising and client
acquisition costs. These expenses have been categorized below between those incurred in the
existing and new markets offices and those expenses which are incurred by the regional and
corporate support functions across all markets.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparable existing markets |
|
$ |
6,392 |
|
|
$ |
7,062 |
|
|
$ |
(670 |
) |
|
|
(9.5 |
)% |
New markets |
|
|
1,719 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
1,575 |
|
|
|
1,093.8 |
% |
Regional/corporate sales support and marketing |
|
|
1,917 |
|
|
|
1,641 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
16.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
10,028 |
|
|
$ |
8,847 |
|
|
$ |
1,181 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008
compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007 was primarily related to the overall growth in
our business, principally the expansion into new markets.
Sales and marketing expenses decreased in our existing markets by approximately $0.7 million
principally attributable to decreases in salaries and benefits of $0.4 million, travel expenses of $0.1 million, customer
acquisition costs of $0.1 million and recruiting/training costs of $0.1 million. As a percentage of existing
market net transactions revenues, existing market sales and marketing expenses were 34.5% in the
current period compared to 31.2% in the prior year.
Sales and marketing expenses increased in our new markets by approximately $1.6 million
principally attributable to opening nine new market offices since March 31, 2007. The increased
expenses consisted primarily of salaries and benefits of $0.7 million, customer
acquisition/marketing costs of $0.4 million and facilities/operating related expenses of
$0.3 million. As a percentage of new market net transactions revenues, new market sales and
marketing expenses were 109.7% in the current year compared to 2,398.0% in the prior year.
Regional/corporate sales support and marketing expenses increased by approximately
$0.3 million principally attributable to the costs of supporting our new market expansion. The
increased expenses consisted primarily of travel of $0.1 million and $0.2 million of stock-based
compensation. As a percentage of total net revenues, regional sales support and
marketing expenses were 9.3% in the current period compared to 7.0% in the prior year.
We expect that our sales and marketing expenses for 2008 will increase in absolute dollars but
decrease as a percentage of net revenues.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for
personnel and facilities related to our executive, finance, human resources, facilities and legal
organizations, and fees for professional services. Professional services are principally comprised
of outside legal, audit and outsourcing services.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
General and administrative |
|
$ |
3,682 |
|
|
$ |
3,968 |
|
|
$ |
(268 |
) |
|
|
(7.2 |
)% |
The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2008
compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007 was principally due to decreased professional
fees of $0.2 million. As a percentage of net revenues, general and administrative expenses were
17.9% in the period compared to 17.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2007.
As we grow our business and expand into additional new markets, we expect our general and
administrative expenses to decrease in absolute dollars and as a percentage of net revenues.
25
Litigation
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Litigation |
|
$ |
625 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
625 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Litigation relates to a class action lawsuit filed by a former ZipAgent. The plaintiffs
allege, among other things, that our practices for compensating agents and reimbursing expenses
violate applicable law regarding the payment for minimum wages and overtime. There is a proposed
settlement involving a payment of approximately $0.6 million, and a full release from any further
liability on the matters raised in the lawsuit. See the description under Legal Proceedings in
Part II, Item 1 of this report.
Interest income
Interest income relates to interest we earn on our money market deposits and short-term
investments.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Interest income |
|
$ |
911 |
|
|
$ |
1,088 |
|
|
$ |
(177 |
) |
|
|
(16.3 |
)% |
Interest income will fluctuate as our cash equivalents and short-term investment balances
change and applicable interest rates increase or decrease. The
decrease in interest income for the
three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2007 was due
primarily to lower interest rates earned on lower average balances.
Other income (expense), net
Other income (expense), net consists of non-operating items, which have not been significant
to date.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
March 31, |
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percent |
|
| |
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
| |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Other income (expense), net |
|
$ |
27 |
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
31 |
|
|
|
811.4 |
% |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of March 31, 2008, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $72.4
million and had no bank debt, line of credit or equipment facilities. For information concerning the subsequent repurchase of a portion of our outstanding shares, see
below under Financing activities.
Operating activities
Our operating activities used cash in the amount of $8.2 million and $2.8 million in the three
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cash used in the three months ended March 31,
2008 resulted from a net loss of $7.3 million, which was partially offset by $0.7 million of
depreciation and amortization, $1.0 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense and from
changes in other non cash operating assets and liabilities, primarily
payment of the $3.55
million litigation settlement. Cash used in the three months ended March 31, 2007 resulted from a
net loss of $3.1 million which was offset primarily by $0.7 million of depreciation and
amortization, and $0.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense
Our primary source of operating cash flow is the collection of our commission income from
escrow companies or similar intermediaries in the real estate transaction closing process. Due to
the structure of our commission arrangements, our accounts receivable are converted to cash on a
short-term basis and our accounts receivable balances at period end have historically been
significantly less than one months net revenues. Our operating cash flows will be impacted in the
future by the timing of payments to our vendors for accounts payable, which are generally paid
within the invoice terms and conditions. Our cash outflows are also
26
impacted by the timing of the payment of our accrued liabilities relating to commissions and
related compensation costs and client acquisition costs.
A number of non-cash items have been charged to expense and decreased our net income or
increased our net loss. These items include depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
and non-cash employee stock-based compensation expense and other stock-based compensation charges.
To the extent these non-cash items increase or decrease in amount and increase or decrease our
future operating results, there will be no corresponding impact on our cash flows.
Investing activities
Our investing activities generated cash in the amount of $17.3 million and $0.2 million in the
three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cash generated for the three months ended
March 31, 2008 represent net proceeds from the sales and purchases of short-term investments of
$17.6 million offset by the purchases of property and equipment, furniture, and leasehold
improvements totaling $0.3 million in connection with the purchase of additional server capacity,
capitalization of internal use software and the build out of new district office space. Cash
generated for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was primarily related to net sales of
short-term investments of $1.1 million partially offset by purchases of property and equipment,
furniture, and leasehold improvements of $0.9 million in connection with the purchase of additional
server capacity, capitalization of internal use software and the build out of new district office
space.
We primarily maintain a minimum amount of cash and cash equivalents for operational purposes
and invest the remaining amount of our cash in investment grade, highly liquid interest-bearing
securities which allows for flexibility in the event our cash needs change.
Currently, we expect our remaining 2008 capital expenditures to be approximately $2.7 million.
Capital expenditures for the remainder of 2008 are expected to include the purchase of computer
hardware and software to increase our service capacity, normal replacements of computer related
office equipment and the capital cost related to opening offices in new markets. In the future, our
ability to make significant capital investments may depend on our ability to generate cash flow
from operations and to obtain adequate financing, if necessary and available
Financing activities
Proceeds from our financing activities were not significant in the three months ended March
31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Sources of cash from financing activities primarily represented
proceeds from stock option and warrant exercises.
On April 3, 2008, we repurchased approximately 3.5 million shares of our common stock
originally issued in private placement transactions or pursuant to warrant acquired prior to our
initial public offering. The shares were purchased in a privately negotiated transaction for a
total purchase price of approximately $17.4 million.
As of March 31, 2008, we had warrants outstanding for the purchase of an aggregate of 126,724
shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.30 per share. All of these
warrants are currently exercisable at the option of the holders; warrants for the purchase of
123,440 of our common stock expire on June 27, 2008.
Future needs
We believe that cash flows from operations and our current cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months.
Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our rate of growth into new
geographic markets, our level of investment in technology and
advertising initiatives. In addition, if the current softness in the
residential real estate market continues or worsens, as further
discussed under Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, resulting
in fewer transactions, reduced commissions or higher costs, we may
have greater need to fund our business by using our cash reserves,
which could not continue indefinitely without our raising additional capital.
We are routinely explore our options for offering services relating to the purchase, sale and
ownership of a home, including services related to title insurance, escrow, mortgage, home warranty
insurance and property and casualty insurance (including auto insurance), which we refer to as core
services. We expect that some of our core services will be offered through affiliates (including
wholly owned subsidiaries), while others will be offered through joint ventures or marketing
arrangements with independent third parties, such as title companies, banks and insurance
companies. We may enter into these types of arrangements in the future, which could also require us
to seek additional equity or debt financing.
27
We currently have no bank debt or line of credit facilities. In the event that additional
financing is required, we may not be able to raise it on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we
are unable to raise additional capital when desired, our business, operations and results will
likely suffer.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS
We lease office space under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates
through May 2013. The following table provides summary information concerning our future
contractual obligations and commitments at March 31, 2008.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Payments due by period |
| |
|
Less than |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More than |
|
|
| |
|
1 year |
|
1 to 3 years |
|
3 to 5 years |
|
5 years |
|
Total |
| |
|
(In thousands) |
Minimum lease payments |
|
$ |
2,347 |
|
|
$ |
3,650 |
|
|
$ |
2,017 |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
8,025 |
|
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not have any off balance-sheet arrangements, investments in special purpose entities or
undisclosed borrowings or debt. Additionally, we are not a party to any derivative contracts or
synthetic leases.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk:
Interest rate sensitivity
Our investment policy requires us to invest funds in excess of current operating requirements.
The principal objectives of our investment activities are to preserve principal, provide liquidity
and maximize income consistent with minimizing risk of material loss. We believe this investment
policy is prudent and helps to reduce, but does not prevent, loss of principal and results in
minimal interest rate exposure on our investments.
As of March 31, 2008 and 2007, our cash and cash equivalents consisted primarily of money
market funds and our short-term investments consisted primarily of investment grade, highly liquid
interest-bearing securities. The recorded carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate
fair value due to their short maturities and short-term investments are carried at fair value. The
amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer and type of instrument is limited. Our interest
income is sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates in the United States,
particularly since the majority of our investments are fixed income investments. If market interest
rates were to increase or decrease immediately and uniformly by 10% from levels at March 31, 2008
and 2007, the increase or decline in fair market value of the portfolio would be approximately $0.2
million and $0.3 million, respectively.
Exchange rate sensitivity
We consider our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to be minimal, as we
do not have any sales denominated in foreign currencies. We have not engaged in any hedging or
other derivative transactions to date.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures:
(a) Disclosure controls and procedures. Our management, with the participation of our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure
controls and procedures (as such items are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered
by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of
the period covered by this Quarterly Report are effective to ensure that information we are
required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and
communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and that such information
is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and forms.
28
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in our
internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 that have
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over
financial reporting.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings:
On May 4, 2007, the Company was named in a class action lawsuit filed in United States
District Court for the Central District of California, Lubocki, et al v. ZipRealty, case number CV
07 2959, by four former employee agents of the Company on behalf of themselves and others similarly
situated. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the Companys policies for expense
allowances and expense reimbursement in place prior to October 2005, and its policy for commission
payments to agents for transactions that do not close during the period of employment, violate
applicable law. The Company reached a settlement agreement, which called for a payment of
$3,550,000 and, as a result the Company recorded a charge in that amount during the quarter ended
September 30, 2007. The settlement agreement included a full release from any further liability on
the matters raised in the complaint. The settlement agreement received court approval on March 10,
2008. The Company made the payment under the settlement agreement in March 2008.
On May 18, 2007, the Company was named in a class action lawsuit filed in the Superior Court
of California, County of Alameda, Crystal Alexander, et al. v. ZipRealty, by a former employee
agent of the Company. The complaint sought monetary relief and alleged, among other things, that
the Companys practices for compensating agents and reimbursing expenses violate applicable law
regarding the payment of minimum wages and overtime. The Company reached a settlement agreement
which called for a payment of $600,000, plus applicable payroll
taxes, and included a full release of all claims for unpaid wages
through December 31, 2007 for the period covering the first two weeks of employment, during which
time the California ZipAgents received on-boarding training. The settlement agreement is pending court approval.
On March 29, 2006, the Company filed a claim in the Superior Court of California, County of
San Diego, for malpractice against a law firm that provided counseling in connection with certain
employment matters, including wage and expense issues, in California Superior Court, County of
San Francisco, ZipRealty Inc., v. Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP, Michael W. Kelly Esq., et. al.,
Case No. CGC 06450765. While the Company believes it has a good case, it is too early to determine
the likelihood of a recovery, or to estimate the amount of recovery, if any.
On March 12, 2008, a putative class action, entitled Simon et al. v. ZipRealty, Inc., was
filed against the Company in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The complaint, representing a
class of all California sales agents and a nationwide class of sales agents under the federal Fair
Labor Standards Act, claims that those sales agents are not exempt from minimum wage and overtime
laws, and brings claims for failure to pay minimum wage and overtime, failure to maintain and
provide accurate payroll records, failure to provide meal and rest breaks, and failure to reimburse
expenses, as well as a claim under California Business and Professions Code Section 17200, all
related to the same conduct. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, interest,
penalties, injunctive relief, and attorneys fees and costs. The Company is in the initial stage of discovery and investigation and has not yet had the opportunity to analyze the allegations in detail. However, the
Company believes that its sales agents are properly classified as outside salespeople exempt from
applicable state and federal minimum wage and overtime requirements. Accordingly, the Company
intends to vigorously defend this lawsuit.
We are not currently subject to any other material legal proceedings. From time to time we
have been, and we currently are, a party to litigation and subject to claims incident to the
ordinary course of our business. The amounts in dispute in these matters are not material to us,
and we believe that the resolution of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on
our business, results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
Item 1A. Risk Factors:
Because of the following factors, as well as other variables affecting our operating results
and financial condition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future
performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future
periods.
29
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
We have experienced losses in recent quarters and expect to incur losses in the future, and our
limited operating history makes our future financial performance difficult to assess.
We were formed in January 1999 and therefore have a limited operating history upon which to
evaluate our operations and future prospects. We have had a history of losses from inception
through the first half of 2003 and at March 31, 2008 had an accumulated deficit of $74.4 million.
While we were profitable in the second half of 2003, and for a total of seven quarters during 2004,
2005 and 2006, we experienced net losses in the four quarters of 2007. Our outlook is cautious
given market and geopolitical uncertainties, and we expect to experience a loss for calendar year
2008 as we continue to invest in our business during this period of market softness.
We may incur additional expenses with the expectation that our revenues will grow in the
future, which may not occur. As a result, we could experience budgeting and cash flow management
problems, unexpected fluctuations in our results of operations and other difficulties, any of which
could harm our ability to achieve or maintain profitability, increase the volatility of the market
price of our common stock or harm our ability to raise additional capital. Additionally, as a
public company we incur significant costs to comply with the requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, NASDAQ and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and we may incur additional costs
in connection with that effort that are significantly higher than anticipated, which could
negatively impact our profitability.
We expect that we will continue to increase our expenses, including marketing and customer
acquisition expenses and expenses incurred as a result of increasing the number of agents we
employ. As we seek to grow our business in existing markets and expand to new markets, we cannot
guarantee our business strategies will be successful or that our revenues will ever increase
sufficiently to achieve and maintain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
Our business model requires access to real estate listing services provided by third parties that
we do not control, and we expect that the demand for our services would be reduced if our ability
to display listings on our website, or to communicate to our clients that our website displays MLS
listings, is restricted.
A key component of our business model is that through our website we offer clients access to,
and the ability to search, real estate listings posted on the MLSs in the markets we serve. Most
large metropolitan areas in the United States have at least one MLS, though there is no national
MLS. The homes in each MLS are listed voluntarily by its members, who are licensed real estate
brokers. The information distributed in an MLS allows brokers to cooperate in the identification of
buyers for listed properties.
If our access to one or more MLS databases, or our ability to offer our clients the ability to
access and search listings on one or more MLSs, were restricted or terminated, our service could be
adversely affected and our business may be harmed. Because participation in an MLS is voluntary, a
broker or group of brokers may decline to post their listings to the existing MLS and instead
create a new proprietary real estate listing service. If a broker or group of brokers created a
separate real estate listing database, we may be unable to obtain access to that private listing
service on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. As a result, the percentage of available real
estate listings that our clients would be able to search using our website would be reduced,
perhaps significantly, thereby making our services less attractive to potential clients.
Additionally, we operate a virtual office website, or VOW, which is a password protected
website that allows us to show comprehensive MLS data directly to consumers without their having to
visit an agent. In late 2002, the National Association of REALTORS®, or NAR, the dominant trade
organization in the residential real estate industry, adopted a mandatory policy for NAR-affiliated
MLSs regarding the use and display of MLS listings data on VOWs. Under the NAR policy, individual
MLSs affiliated with NAR, which includes the vast majority of MLSs in the United States, were
required to implement their own individual VOW policies consistent with the NAR, but NAR extended
the deadline for the implementation of its rules at least three times during an investigation by
the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, into NARs policy that dictates
how brokers can display other brokers property listings on their websites. In September 2005, NAR
replaced its VOW policy with an Internet Listings Display, or ILD, policy containing some of the
same or similar features of its former VOW policy, and the DOJ responded by immediately filing a
lawsuit in federal court against NAR challenging the ILD policy. That lawsuit is currently set for
trial in July 2008. NAR has postponed the deadline for the implementation of its ILD rules by its
member MLSs pending resolution of that lawsuit. We presently do not know whether or when the NAR
rules will be implemented in their current form or in a revised form, if at all. Once the
individual MLSs implement the ILD policy, the NAR policy currently provides that member brokerages
will have up to 90 days to comply with the policy.
30
The NAR policy is designed to provide structure to the individual MLS policies concerning the
display of listing information through the Internet, subject to a number of areas in which the
individual MLSs may tailor the policy to meet their local needs. One NAR policy provision with
which the individual MLSs must adhere, once required to be implemented, is known as an opt-out.
This provision creates a mechanism for individual brokers to prevent their listings data from being
displayed by competitors on their websites but not by brick-and-mortar competitors at their offices
by other means, which the DOJ has alleged is a mechanism designed to chill competition by
Internet-based REALTORS®.
We believe NARs policy and the DOJ action reflects a high degree of uncertainty regarding the
real estate industrys incorporation of and willingness to work with VOWs. Our success may be
significantly affected by the outcome of the DOJs action, and by the willingness of individual
MLS to work cooperatively with VOW businesses such as ours.
Moreover, we have seen an increase in complaints from local MLSs regarding our use of phrases
such as search MLS listed homes, search the MLS or other phrases including the term MLS, and
we have received corresponding demands from several MLSs that we refrain from using such phrases on
our website and in our marketing materials. We believe that, as a VOW and a member of these MLSs,
we have the right to use phrases such as search MLS listed homes on our website. We expect to
continue to receive such complaints and demands until the DOJ action described above is resolved,
and possibly longer. Any restriction on our ability to use such phrases could impair our ability to
communicate to our clients that our website displays MLS listings, which could impair our ability
to attract customers directly to our website.
In addition, from time to time several state or local MLSs may choose to combine into one
larger MLS. For example, in the State of California, some real estate professionals have discussed
combining all MLSs in the state into one state-wide consolidated MLS. If any consolidated MLS were
to adopt restrictions on our display of MLS listings, or on our ability to communicate to our
clients that our website displays MLS information, we may lose demand for our services.
Our business could be harmed by transitions in the real estate markets and economic events that
are out of our control and may be difficult to predict.
The success of our business depends in part on the health of the residential real estate
market, which traditionally has been subject to cyclical economic swings as well as other changes
in local regional or national economic conditions. The purchase of residential real estate is a
significant transaction for most consumers, and one which can not only be delayed or terminated
based on the availability of discretionary income, but also can be delayed or terminated based on
macroeconomic factors. Economic slowdown or recession, changes in the availability of mortgages or
extension of credit, rising interest rates, adverse tax policies or changes in other regulations,
increased unemployment, lower consumer confidence, lower wage and salary levels, war or terrorist
attacks, natural disaster, oil price spikes or the public perception that any of these events may
occur, could adversely affect the demand for residential real estate and harm our business. Also,
if the availability of mortgages or other financing options decline, or if interest rates increase
significantly, homeowners ability to purchase a new home or a higher priced home may be reduced as
higher monthly payments would make housing less affordable. In addition, these conditions could
lead to a decline in transaction volume and sales prices, either of which would harm our operating
results.
Since early September of 2005 we have experienced significant increases in the available
inventories of homes for sale in many of our markets, as well as increases in the amount of time
listings are taking to sell. For example, average monthly inventories in our existing markets
increased approximately 29%, in 2007 compared to 2006 and months of inventory increased
approximately 88%, in December 2007 compared to December 2006. Pricing increases have also slowed,
and some markets have shown declines in median selling prices over this period. In some markets,
home prices have remained relatively stable, but we believe that buyer expectation that prices will
decline has resulted in fewer transactions, as buyers postpone transactions until such declines
materialize. According to NAR, nationally sales of existing homes fell 19.3% year-over-year in
March 2008 to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.93 million. In the State of California, the
California Association of REALTORS® reported that sales of existing homes declined 24.5% and the
median price of existing homes fell 29.0% year-over-year during the month of March 2008. In our
opinion, these data points suggest the housing market is in a period of transition, with more power
shifting to buyers from sellers, which may impair our ability to grow the Company and our agent
productivity. Any continuation in, or worsening of, these conditions could harm our results of
operations.
31
We may not be able to continue to grow market share to offset the impact of the current
contraction in the residential real estate market.
During 2007, we were able to grow market share in almost all of our existing markets to help
offset the contraction in the residential real estate market: our net transaction revenues in
existing markets (markets opened before January 1, 2006), decreased only slightly to $89.6 million
in 2007 from $90.1 million in 2006. Net transaction revenues for new markets (markets opened after
December 31, 2005) increased by $9.0 million resulting in an overall increase in net revenues of
$8.4 million. We may not be able to sustain this effort at this same rate if the softening in the
residential real estate market continues.
If the percentage of our business that is composed of representing home sellers, as opposed to
home buyers, increases, we may incur additional costs and achieve lower profit margins,
particularly in a softened market.
Historically, most of our business has been derived from representing buyers in their home
purchases. One of our growth strategies is to increase the portion of our business that is composed
of representing sellers in their home listings. The success of this
strategy as well as a general softening in the residential
real estate market, or other factors, may cause an increase in the percentage of our
business that is composed of representing home sellers rather than home buyers. As the portion of
our listings business increases, and as listings take longer to sell in a market with higher
inventory levels, marketing costs generally increase, and commissions can decrease as buyers demand
more last-minute concessions in price before closing. If the softened market persists, we may incur
greater listing marketing costs and achieve lower commissions and lower profit margins.
The recent tightening in the availability of credit, particularly with respect to lenders in the
mortgage market, has and may continue to negatively impact the housing market.
Consumer access to mortgage financing has been affordable and widely available by historic
standards in recent years. The affordability and availability of mortgage financing is influenced
by a number of factors, including interest rates, lender underwriting criteria, loan product
availability, and the performance of mortgage backed securities in the secondary market. Since the
Fall of 2005, the residential real estate market has been softening as interest rates generally
have increased (subject to some recent fluctuation). In addition, lender underwriting criteria
began to change in 2006 as a result of unexpectedly high mortgage defaults. Underwriting criteria
tightened further in 2007 as a result of lender and investor losses on mortgages and
mortgage-backed securities as loan defaults and property foreclosures continued to rise. More
lenders currently require homebuyers to have higher credit scores and to provide greater down
payments than in recent years. Currently, we perceive there is a disruption in the availability of
funds for mortgages as investors, who buy loans and securities backed by mortgages, are tightening
credit standards and/or exiting the market for loans that arent guaranteed by Fannie Mae or
Freddie Mac. We also believe an entire group of loan products, including subprime and some Alt A
loans, have become less available while pressures have built on prime, non-conforming loans
(principally loans of more than $417,000, the limit observed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac although
this limit will increase as a result of recently enacted federal legislation), making them
significantly more costly than in previous years relative to conforming loans. Although we have
recently seen some improvement in the availability of non-conforming loans, and Congress recently
enacted legislation to this end, there can be no assurance that such improvement will continue. We
have also perceived an increase in lenders requests that homebuyers obtain mortgage insurance,
particularly as second mortgages and home equity loans become harder to obtain. Further, in regions
such as South Florida and Las Vegas that have experienced particularly sharp declines in home
prices, we have learned that some lenders have ruled out the extension of any home loans to some or
all property types in those markets, a practice sometimes referred to as blacklisting.
If these borrowers face higher interest rates, or are unable to obtain financing at all, many
may postpone or cancel home buying plans. When interest rates rise and when underwriting criteria
becomes more restrictive, housing may become less affordable, since at a given income level people
cannot qualify to borrow as much principal, or given a fixed principal amount they will be faced
with higher monthly payments. This result may mean that fewer people will be able to afford homes
at prevailing prices, leading to greater odds that fewer transactions will close, closing
processes will lengthen, and home prices will fall, any of which may reduce revenues. Should
we not be able to offset the potential negative market influences on price and volume by increasing
our transaction volume through market share growth, our financial results will be negatively
impacted.
Softness in the residential real estate market may reduce the availability of home loans, which
may further negatively impact the housing market.
We believe that the prolonged softening of the residential real estate market has also
negatively impacted the market for home loans. As home prices decline, and homeowners find
themselves with less equity in their homes, lenders generally become less willing to
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refinance existing mortgages or to extend home equity loans. Consequently, as home prices and
home equity leverage decrease, homeowners are more likely to default on their home loans. These
defaults can fuel a spiral of further credit tightening and even less availability of credit,
causing a banking crisis. In addition, as more distressed properties are offered for sale, the
resulting increase in inventory of homes for sale could put further downward pressure on home
prices. We believe that a significant number of adjustable rate mortgages are scheduled to adjust
during 2008. As the rates in many adjustable rate mortgages reset at higher rates, causing
additional defaults, the number of distressed properties entering the residential real estate
market should increase, further harming the health of the residential real estate market and our
results.
Foreclosures and short sales may cause significant disruption in our business.
There has been a significant increase in the number of homes which are now in foreclosure and
have involved short sales. A short sale includes a sale where the sale price is less than the loans
or debt secured by the home listed for sale. This may cause further softening in the real estate
industry, which tends to decrease home prices, and delays the sales process as short sales can be
complicated to complete.
Recently adopted federal legislation designed to bolster the market for nonconforming mortgage
loans may result in short or long-term fluctuations in the number of residential real estate
transactions, which could negatively impact our operating results.
Federal legislation has recently been enacted that, among other objectives seeks to bolster
the market for home loans by raising the loan amount that qualifies as a conforming loan up to a
maximum of $729,500 in certain markets. There can be no assurance that this legislation will
accomplish its desired objectives, or that it will have a positive impact on the residential real
estate market. The legislation with respect to conforming loans is
expected to take effect July 1, 2008 and expire in December
2008, and there is no guarantee that this legislation will be extended to cover future time
periods. As this legislation is implemented, a variety of
factors could cause unintended and possibly negative fluctuations in the number of completed
residential real estate transactions. For example, homebuyers may decide to postpone home purchases
from early 2008 into later in the year to await the implementation of the legislation, or
homebuyers may decide to accelerate home purchases from early 2009 into late 2008 to take advantage
of the legislation before its current expiration date. Any of these events could significantly and
negatively impact our operating results.
We may be unable to integrate our technology with each MLS on a cost-effective basis, which may
harm our operating results and adversely affect our ability to service clients.
Each MLS is operated independently and is run on its own technology platform. Each has adopted
its own rules and regulations. As a result, we must constantly modify our technology to
successfully interact with each independent MLS in order to maintain access to that MLSs home
listings information. In addition, when a new MLS is created, we must customize our technology to
work with that new system. These activities require constant attention and significant resources.
We may be unable to successfully interoperate with the MLSs without significantly increasing our
engineering costs, which would increase our operating expenses without a related increase in net
revenues and cause our operating results to suffer. We may also be unable to interoperate or work
with the MLSs effectively, or at all, which would likely adversely affect the demand for our
services.
Our business model is relatively new and unproven, and we cannot guarantee our future success.
Our Internet-enabled residential real estate brokerage service is a relatively new and
unproven business model, and it has evolved, and may continue to evolve, over time. Our business
model differs significantly from that of a traditional real estate brokerage firm in several ways,
including our heavy reliance on the Internet and technology and our employee agent model. The
success of our business model depends on its scalability and on our ability to achieve higher
transaction volumes at an overall lower cost per transaction in order to offset the costs
associated with our technology, employee benefits, marketing and advertising expenses, and
discounts and rebates. If we are unable to efficiently acquire clients and maintain agent
productivity in excess of industry averages, our ZipAgents may close fewer transactions and our net
revenues would likely suffer as a result. Also, given that our agent employee model is uncommon in
the real estate industry, our compensation structure could be subject to legal challenge, and has
been challenged as discussed under Legal Proceedings in Part II, Item 1 of this report. In
addition, our agents generally earn a lower per transaction commission than a traditional
independent contractor agent. If we are unsuccessful in providing our agents with an attractive
value proposition, whether through more opportunities to close transactions or otherwise, when
compared to other agent opportunities, our ability to hire and retain qualified real estate agents
would be harmed, which would significantly harm our business.
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If we fail to recruit, hire and retain qualified agents, we would be less able to service our
clients and our growth would most likely be impaired.
Our business requires us to hire employees who are licensed real estate agents, and our
strategy is based on consistently growing our team of ZipAgents. Competition for qualified agents
is intense, particularly in the markets in which we compete, and retention is an industry-wide
issue. While there are many licensed real estate agents in our markets and throughout the country,
historically we have had challenges in recruiting and retaining properly qualified licensed agents
due particularly to agent discomfort with using technology and being actively managed by an
employer. In addition, our lower per transaction agent commission model may be unattractive to
certain higher performing agents. If we are unable to recruit, train and retain a sufficient number
of qualified licensed real estate agents, we would be less able to service our clients properly and
grow our business.
Historically, we have experienced a high degree of agent turnover, most of which occurs in the
first few months after commencing employment. This turnover has required us to expend a substantial
amount of time and money to replace agents who have left as we have been growing our business. If
this situation worsens, our rate of expansion into new markets could be slowed and cause us to
employ a significantly higher number of new agents with less experience operating in our business
model, which could cause us to be less effective at expanding our market share in our existing
markets and entering new markets.
Also, if the current softness of the residential real estate market continues or worsens, we
expect to see a reduction in the number of licensed REALTORS® nationwide. The overall decline in the
number of real estate agents could make it more difficult for us to employ qualified agents and
grow our business.
We would likely incur additional expenses or liabilities if our current or former compensation
plans, including expense allowance or reimbursement policies, are found to violate federal or
state wage and hour laws.
Because our ZipAgents are employees and not independent contractors, we are subject to federal
and state regulation of our employment practices, including regulations applicable to our
compensation plans, including our expense reimbursement policies for our ZipAgents. We rely on
federal and state exemptions from minimum wage and fair labor standards laws for our ZipAgents, who
are compensated primarily through commissions and who are reimbursed for certain business expenses.
Such exemptions may not continue to be available, or we may not qualify for such exemptions, which
could subject us to penalties and damages for non-compliance. For example, in 2007, Nevada approved
legislation that preempts the federal outside sales exemption from paying minimum wage and
overtime in that state. That legislation took effect on November 1, 2007. Accordingly, we pay
ZipAgents in Nevada minimum wage offset against future commissions, and overtime subject to prior
manager approval. Also, some states, such as California and New York, have laws requiring the
reimbursement of employee expenses, regardless of the terms of any employment contract, which
caused us to adopt different compensation practices in these states than elsewhere. Our current and
former compensation and expense allowance and reimbursement policies are challenged from time to
time through litigation and administrative complaints, including the class action lawsuits
described in this Form 10-Q under Part II, Item 1, Legal Proceedings. If exemptions from paying
minimum wages are not available in states where we desire to expand our operations or if they cease
to be available in the states where we currently operate, or if we are required by federal or state
laws to pay additional compensation or to reimburse additional expenses, we would likely incur
significant expenses, be subject to lawsuits and administrative complaints, and be required to
modify our agent compensation structure in some or all states, which could cause us to suffer
significant financial harm, and which could cause our compensation practices to be less attractive
to agents or more expensive to the Company.
Our failure to effectively manage the growth of our ZipAgents and related technology could
adversely affect our ability to service our clients and harm operating results.
As our operations have expanded, we have experienced rapid growth in our headcount from 2,110
total employees, including 1,875 ZipAgents, at March 31, 2007 to 2,536 total employees, including
2,285 ZipAgents, at March 31, 2008. We expect to continue to increase headcount in the future,
particularly the number of ZipAgents. Our rapid growth has demanded, and will continue to demand,
substantial resources and attention from our management. We will need to continue to hire
additional qualified agents and improve and maintain our related technology to properly manage our
growth. If we do not effectively manage our growth, our client service and responsiveness could
suffer and our costs could increase, which could negatively affect our brand and operating results.
34
Our failure to effectively manage the growth of our control systems could adversely affect our
ability to maintain legal compliance.
As we grow, our success will depend on our ability to continue to implement and improve our
operational, financial and management information and control systems on a timely basis, together
with maintaining effective cost controls. This ability is particularly critical as we implement new
systems and controls to help us better comply with the stringent requirements of being a public
company, including the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which require management to
evaluate and assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our
disclosure controls and procedures. Effective internal control over financial reporting is required
by law and is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud.
Effective disclosure controls and procedures are required by law and are necessary for us to file
complete, accurate and timely reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our ability to
manage the growth of our control systems and maintain legal compliance could be thwarted by many
factors, including turnover in management and the lack of adequate staffing with the requisite
expertise and training. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud or to
file complete, accurate and timely reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 could harm our
business, harm our reputation and result in a decline in our stock price. We are continuing to
evaluate and, where appropriate, enhance our systems, procedures and internal controls. If our
systems, procedures or controls are not adequate to support our operations and reliable, accurate
and timely financial and other reporting, we may not be able to satisfy successfully regulatory and
investor scrutiny, offer our services and implement our business plan.
If we fail to comply with real estate brokerage laws and regulations, we may incur significant
financial penalties or lose our licenses to operate.
Due to the geographic scope of our operations and the nature of the real estate services we
perform, we are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, and regulatory
authorities have relatively broad discretion to grant, renew and revoke licenses and approvals and
implement regulations. For example, we are required to maintain real estate brokerage licenses in
each state in which we operate and to designate individual licensed brokers of record. In some
states, these licenses are personal to the broker. If we fail to maintain our licenses, lose the
services of our designated broker of record or conduct brokerage activities without a license, we
may be required to pay fines or return commissions received, our licenses may be suspended or
revoked or not renewed or we may be subject to other civil and/or criminal penalties. As we expand
into new markets, we will need to obtain and maintain the required brokerage licenses, which may be
difficult, and comply with the applicable laws and regulations of these markets, which may be
different from those to which we are accustomed, any of which will increase our compliance costs.
In addition, because the size and scope of real estate sales transactions have increased
significantly during the past several years, both the difficulty and cost of compliance with the
numerous state licensing regimes and possible losses resulting from non-compliance have increased.
Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, the possible loss of real estate
brokerage licenses or litigation by government agencies or affected clients may have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results, and may limit our
ability to expand into new markets.
We may have liabilities in connection with real estate brokerage activities.
As a licensed real estate brokerage, we and our licensed employees are subject to statutory
due diligence, disclosure and standard-of-care obligations. In the ordinary course of business, we
and our employees are subject to litigation from parties involved in transactions for alleged
violations of these obligations. We self-insure some of this risk and, as we expand our business to
include larger deals, we may not be able or otherwise determine not to obtain third party insurance
on these larger deals with attractive terms. In addition, we may be required to indemnify our
employees who become subject to litigation or other claims arising out of our business activities,
including for claims related to the negligence of those employees. An adverse outcome in any such
litigation could negatively impact our reputation and harm our business.
We may have liabilities if any of our employees violates laws concerning settlement procedures.
Our business must comply with the provisions of the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures
Act, or RESPA, as well as comparable state statutes where we do business. These statutes, among
other things, prohibit payments that real estate brokers, agents and other settlement service
providers may receive for referral of business to other settlement service providers in connection
with the closing of real estate transactions, as well as restrict other payments that may be
received by settlement service providers for their services. RESPA and similar state laws also
require timely disclosure of certain relationships or financial interests that a broker has with
providers of real estate settlement services. If we or any of our employees fail to comply with any
of these statutes, a resulting enforcement proceeding could subject us to substantial financial
penalties and/or suspension or loss of our licenses, be expensive to defend, and materially harm
our ability to continue operations.
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If any of our core services fails to comply with applicable federal and state law and regulations,
we may incur significant financial penalties or lose licenses required to provide these services.
We are currently exploring and beginning to implement several options for offering services
relating to the purchase, sale and ownership of a home, including services related to title
insurance, escrow, mortgage, home warranty insurance and property and casualty insurance (including
auto insurance), which we refer to as core services. We expect that some of our core services will
be offered through affiliates (including wholly owned subsidiaries), while others will be offered
through joint ventures or marketing arrangements with independent third parties, such as title
companies, banks and insurance companies. For example, we have entered into co-marketing
arrangements with one or more lenders such as E-LOAN, Inc. pursuant
to which we help market their mortgage services through the
mortgage center on our website in exchange for a flat monthly fee established on a periodic basis.
Also, we have formed a subsidiary to offer insurance services in certain markets.
These core services may be subject to regulation at both the federal and state level,
including, in certain instances, regulation under the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act, or RESPA, state and local licensing laws and regulations (whether applicable to us
or third parties with whom we have arrangements) and federal and state advertising laws, fair
lending and insurance-related laws and regulations. Some of these laws and regulations, such as
RESPA, do not offer definitive requirements for compliance, making it difficult to determine
conclusively whether these core services will comply. The laws of the states in which we conduct
business often vary considerably regarding the legality of and licensing requirements for
conducting certain business practices, including the payment of compensation, in connection with
offering mortgage, title insurance and other insurance products, and these states often do not
provide definitive guidance concerning when these practices are illegal or require licensure, which
can make it difficult to determine whether our practices are in legal compliance. In addition, to
the extent that these core services are offered through affiliates or arrangements with independent
third parties, we may have little ability to verify that these parties comply with applicable laws
and regulations. Also, as these core services are expanded into new markets, they will need to
obtain and maintain the required licenses, which may be difficult to obtain, and comply with the
applicable laws and regulations of these markets, which may be different from the laws and
regulations to which they were previously subject, all of which will increase compliance costs.
If our practices in offering these core services fail to comply with applicable laws and
regulations (including if we fail to maintain any necessary licenses, whether through the loss of
individuals or entities licensed to perform these services or otherwise, or if our practices are
performed or compensated without required licenses), we and the other parties providing the core
services may be required to pay fines or return commissions received and may be subject to other
civil or criminal penalties under actions by government agencies or clients, and the licenses
needed to provide these core services may be suspended, revoked or denied. Any of these events
could also cause disruption in the relationships between us and the other parties involved in
offering these core services. Consequently, any failure to comply with application laws and
regulations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating
results, and may limit our ability to expand our core services into new markets.
We may have liabilities in connection with our performance of core services.
For some of the core services we anticipate offering, such as insurance, we expect the
performance of these core services to be subject to significant government regulation, disclosure
and standard-of-care obligations. In the ordinary course of business, we and the other parties
involved in providing these core services may be subject to litigation from clients and other
parties involved in transactions for alleged violations of these obligations. We anticipate that
the vehicles providing these core services will self-insure some of this risk. In addition, these
vehicles may be required to indemnify their employees who become subject to litigation or other
claims arising out of their business activities, including for claims related to the negligence of
these employees. An adverse outcome in any such litigation could negatively impact our reputation
and have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
If our arrangements for providing core services become impaired, we may lose sources of revenue
that may be difficult to replace and we may be less likely to engage in related transactions with
our clients.
As mentioned above, we are currently exploring and beginning to implement several options for
offering and/or marketing core services, and we expect that some of these services will be offered
through affiliates (including wholly owned subsidiaries), while others will be offered through
marketing arrangements with independent third parties, such as title, mortgage and insurance
companies. If these relationships are terminated or otherwise become impaired, we could lose
sources of revenues that we may not be able to readily replace, and our brand name and client
relationships could suffer. For example, we receive revenues from our marketing relationship with
E-LOAN, Inc., which provides mortgage services through the ZipRealty Mortgage Center on our website
and pays us
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a flat monthly fee that is established on a periodic basis (representing less than 3% of our
revenues during fiscal year 2007). E-LOAN was acquired by Popular, Inc. in late 2005 and has
recently been written down in its portfolio. If our marketing relationship with E-LOAN became
impaired or if E-LOAN were to suspend operations, not only would we lose the marketing revenues
from that relationship (which have relatively little associated expenses), but also our clients
could have a more difficult time obtaining the financing needed to purchase a home through us,
which could negatively impact our transaction revenues. In addition, upon the termination of an
arrangement with an independent third party to provide core services, we or our affiliates may be
required to pay certain costs or fees or be precluded from performing such services for a period of
time. Any of these events could negatively impact our business and financial condition.
If consumers do not continue to use the Internet as a tool in their residential real estate buying
or selling process, we may be unable to attract new clients and our growth and financial results
may suffer.
We rely substantially on our website and web-based marketing for our client lead generation.
As the residential real estate business has traditionally been characterized by personal,
face-to-face relationships between buyers and sellers and their agents, our success will depend to
a certain extent on the willingness of consumers to increase their use of online services in the
real estate sales and purchasing process. In addition, our success will depend on consumers
visiting our website early in their selling or buying process so that we can interface with
potential clients before they have engaged a real estate agent to represent them in their
transactions. If we are unable to convince visitors to our website to transact business with us,
our ZipAgents will have fewer opportunities to represent clients in residential real estate
transactions and our net revenues could suffer.
Our success depends in part on our ability to expand successfully into additional real estate
markets.
We currently operate in 34 markets, including 19 of the 25 most populous U.S. metropolitan
statistical areas. A part of our business strategy is to grow our business by entering into
additional real estate markets and, to this end, in 2005 we commenced operations in Las Vegas in
April, Houston in June and Miami in October. During 2006, we commenced operations in Tampa in
February, Orlando in April, Minneapolis/St. Paul in May, Austin in July, Palm Beach in September,
and the Greater Philadelphia area in December. In 2007, we commenced operations in Naples and
Tucson in March, Denver in April, Jacksonville in May, Salt Lake City and Richmond in July,
Virginia Beach and Charlotte in August, Raleigh-Durham in September and Westchester County in
December. To date in 2008 we have commenced operations in Long Island and have plans to enter one to
three additional markets depending on market conditions. Key elements of this expansion include our
ability to identify strategically attractive real estate markets and to establish successfully our
brand in those markets. We consider many factors when selecting a new market to enter, including:
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the economic conditions and demographics of a market; |
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Internet use in a market; |
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competition within a market from local and national brokerage firms; |
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rules and regulations governing a market; |
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the ability and capacity of our organization to manage expansion into additional
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the existence of, and ease of access to information from, local MLSs; and |
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state laws governing cash rebates and other regulatory restrictions. |
Before opening Las Vegas in 2005, we had not entered a new geographic market since July 2000,
and we have limited experience expanding into and operating in multiple markets, managing multiple
sales regions and addressing the factors described above. In addition, this expansion could involve
significant initial start-up costs. We expect that significant revenues from any new market may be
achieved, if ever, only after we have been operating in that market for some time and begun to
build market awareness of our services. As a result, geographic expansion is likely to increase
significantly our expenses and cause fluctuations in our operating
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results. In addition, if we are unable to successfully penetrate these new markets, we may
continue to incur costs without achieving the expected revenues, which would harm our financial
condition and results of operations.
Unless we develop, maintain and protect a strong brand identity, our business may not grow and our
financial results would suffer.
We believe a strong brand is a competitive advantage in the residential real estate industry
because of the fragmentation of the market and the large number of agents and brokers available to
the consumer. Because our brand is relatively new, we currently do not have strong brand identity.
We believe that establishing and maintaining brand identity and brand loyalty is critical to
attracting new clients. In order to attract and retain both clients and employees, and respond to
competitive pressures, we expect to increase our marketing and customer acquisition expenditures to
develop, maintain and enhance our brand in the future.
We plan to continue conducting and refining our online advertising and possibly to test and
conduct print, radio, direct mail and outdoor campaigns. We plan to increase our online advertising
expenditures. While we intend to enhance our marketing and advertising activities in order to
attract and retain both clients and employees, these activities may not have a material positive
impact on our brand identity. In addition, developing our brand will depend on our ability to
provide a high-quality consumer experience and high quality service, which we may not do
successfully. If we are unable to develop, maintain and enhance our brand, our ability to attract
new clients and employees and successfully expand our operations will be harmed.
We have numerous competitors, many of which have valuable industry relationships, innovative
business models and access to greater resources than we do.
The residential real estate market is highly fragmented, and we have numerous competitors,
many of which have greater name recognition, longer operating histories, larger client bases, and
significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. Some of those
competitors are large national brokerage firms or franchisors, such as Prudential Financial, Inc.,
RE/MAX International Inc. and Realogy Corporation, which owns the Century 21, Coldwell Banker and
ERA franchise brands, a large corporate relocation business and NRT Incorporated, the largest
brokerage in the United States. NRT owns and operates brokerages that are typically affiliated with
one of the franchise brands owned by Realogy. We are also subject to competition from local or
regional firms, as well as individual real estate agents. Our technology-focused business model is
a relatively new approach to the residential real estate market and many consumers may be hesitant
to choose us over more established brokerage firms employing traditional techniques. However, as
customers become increasingly comfortable using the Internet for their real estate services needs,
they will face more options as many more real estate companies, brokers, and agents, as well as
companies such as the NAR, operate competing websites and are increasingly using the Internet to
market to potential customers. As a result, we must continue to innovate to compete, and, even with
new innovation, customers may not distinguish or value the benefits of our website and technology
offerings. Consequently, any technology-based benefits we have may dissipate significantly, or
erode entirely, over time.
Some of our competitors are able to undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, make more
attractive offers to potential agents and clients and respond more quickly to new or emerging
technologies. Over the past several years, there has been a slow but steady decline in average
commissions charged in the real estate brokerage industry, with the average commission percentage
decreasing from 5.44% in 2000 to 5.18% in 2006 according to REAL Trends. Some of our competitors
with greater resources may be able to better withstand the short- or long-term financial effects of
this trend. In addition, the barriers to entry to providing an Internet-enabled real estate service
are low, allowing current or new competitors to adopt certain aspects of our business model,
including offering comprehensive MLS data to clients via the Internet, thereby reducing our
competitive advantage. We may not be able to compete successfully for clients and agents, and
increased competition could result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss of market share,
any of which would harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
We also compete or may in the future compete with various online services, such as
InterActiveCorp and its LendingTree unit (which owns RealEstate.com), HouseValues, Inc., HomeGain,
Inc., Move, Inc. and its REALTOR.com® affiliate, Zillow and Yahoo! Inc. that also look to attract
and monetize their relationships with home buyers and sellers using the Internet. Move is
affiliated with NAR, the National Association of Home Builders, or NAHB, and a number of major
MLSs, which may provide Move with preferred access to listing information and other competitive
advantages. In addition, the competitive landscape in the residential real estate industry is in
the midst of significant changes as new business models enter the marketplace. In order to continue
growing, our business model must remain attractive to consumers so that we can compete successfully
with these newer models as they expand into our marketplaces.
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In addition, the competitive landscape in the residential real estate industry is in the midst
of significant changes as new business models enter the marketplace. In order to continue growing,
our business model must remain attractive to consumers so that we can compete successfully with
these newer models as they expand into our marketplaces. In addition, to remain economically
viable, we will need to be able to compete effectively with these new entrants for the acquisition
of agents and leads.
Changes in federal and state real estate laws and regulations, and rules of industry organizations
such as the National Association of REALTORS®, could adversely affect our business.
The real estate industry is heavily regulated in the United States, including regulation under
the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, state and local licensing laws and
regulations and federal and state advertising laws. In addition to existing laws and regulations,
states and industry participants and regulatory organizations could enact legislation, regulatory
or other policies in the future, which could restrict our activities or significantly increase our
compliance costs. Moreover, the provision of real estate services over the Internet is a new and
evolving business, and legislators, regulators and industry participants may advocate additional
legislative or regulatory initiatives governing the conduct of our business. If existing laws or
regulations are amended or new laws or regulations are adopted, we may need to comply with
additional legal requirements and incur significant compliance costs, or we could be precluded from
certain activities. Because we operate through our website, state and local governments other than
where the subject property is located may attempt to regulate our activities, which could
significantly increase our compliance costs and limit certain of our activities. In addition,
industry organizations, such as NAR and other state and local organizations, can impose standards
or other rules affecting the manner in which we conduct our business. For instance, as mentioned
above, NAR has adopted rules that, if implemented, could result in a reduction in the number of
home listings that could be viewed on our website. NAR has extended the deadline for the
implementation of its rules pending the resolution of a lawsuit filed in federal court by the
Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice challenging, among other things, NARs
proposed ILD policy that dictates how brokers can display other brokers property listings on their
websites. We presently do not know whether or when the NAR rules will be implemented in their
current form or in a revised form, if at all. The implementation of the rules will not limit our
access to listing information, but could limit the display of listing information to our clients
through our website in the manner we currently utilize, as well as increase our costs of ensuring
compliance with such rules. Any significant lobbying or related activities, either of governmental
bodies or industry organizations, required to respond to current or new initiatives in connection
with our business could substantially increase our operating costs and harm our business.
We derive a significant portion of our leads through third parties, and if any of our significant
lead generation relationships are terminated, impaired or become more expensive, our ability to
attract new clients and grow our business may be adversely affected.
We generate leads for our ZipAgents through many sources, including leads from third parties
with which we have only non-exclusive, short-term agreements that are generally terminable on
little or no notice and with no penalties. Our largest third-party lead source, HomeGain, Inc.,
which competes with us for online customer acquisition, generated approximately 21%, 27% and 29% of
our leads during 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Should our lead replacement strategy upon the
loss of a large lead supplier not be successful, or any of our other lead generation relationships
become materially more expensive such that we could not obtain substitute sources on acceptable
terms, our ability to attract new clients and grow our business may be impaired. Our business may
also be impaired to the extent that state laws or NAR or MLS regulations make it more difficult or
expensive for lead generators to provide us with sufficient leads. For example, as discussed above,
we have seen an increase in complaints from local MLSs regarding our use of phrases such as search
MLS listed homes, or other phrases including the term MLS, and we have received corresponding
demands from several MLSs that we refrain from using such phrase. If these MLSs are successful in
restricting our ability to use these terms on our website or in our marketing materials, our
ability to attract clients directly to our website could be impaired, which could increase our need
for, and cost of, obtaining leads from other sources.
Our ability to expand our business may be limited by state laws governing cash rebates to home
buyers.
A significant component of our value proposition to our home buyer clients is a cash rebate
provided to the buyer at closing. Currently, our clients who are home buyers represent a
substantial majority of our business and revenues. Certain states, such as Alaska, Kansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee, may presently prohibit sharing
any commissions with, or providing rebates to, clients who are not licensed real estate agents. In
addition, other states may limit or restrict our cash rebate program as currently structured,
including Missouri and New York, although we have received guidance from the New York State
Attorney Generals office indicating that the applicable law in New York would not be interpreted
and/or enforced in such a way as to restrict rebates to consumers. In connection with entry into
the Greater Philadelphia area, we entered the New Jersey market, where the payment of cash rebates
is currently not permitted by law. Consequently, in New Jersey, in lieu of offering a cash rebate
to our buyers,
39
we make a donation to a local charity through United Way equal to 20% of our commission in
cash upon closing. Should we decide to expand into any of these other states where the payment of
cash rebates are restricted or prohibited, we may need to adjust our pricing structure or refrain
from offering rebates to buyers in these states. Moreover, we cannot predict whether alternative
approaches will be cost effective or easily marketable to prospective clients. The failure to enter
into these markets, or others that adopt similar restrictions, or to successfully attract clients
in these markets, could harm our business.
We have undergone significant management transitions recently and need to successfully integrate
new members of the management team as well as retain key personnel or our business could be
harmed.
The loss of the services of one or more of our key personnel could seriously harm our
business. For example, Mr. Joseph Patrick Lashinsky assumed the position of President on January 8,
2007 and the additional position of Chief Executive Officer on June 4, 2007, and Mr. David A.
Rector assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer on May 3, 2007. Our success depends on the
contributions of Mr. Lashinsky, Mr. Rector and other senior level sales, operations, marketing,
technology and financial officers. Our business plan was developed in large part by our senior
level officers and its implementation requires their skills and knowledge. With the exception of
Mr. Lashinsky, none of our officers or key employees has an employment agreement, and their
employment is at will. We do not have key person life insurance policies covering any of our
executives.
As we implement changes in our agent compensation policies, we may incent behaviors that cause an
increase in our expenses and potentially a decrease in our profit margin with the goal of
increasing our sales and overall profitability.
From time to time, we implement changes to our agent compensation policies to achieve certain
goals, for example, the improvement of agent productivity and retention. In 2007, we implemented a
program to pay higher commission splits to a select number of our agents as the cumulative number
of deals they close increases. Our goal for this program is to incent all of our agents to achieve
higher levels of productivity and to thereby increase our profits. However, we anticipate that the
implementation of this program may cause a slight decrease in our gross margin. We may, in the
future, opt to implement additional changes in our agent compensation policies that may increase
our compensation expenses, and possibly decrease our profit margins, with the goal of increasing
our sales and overall profitability.
We monitor and evaluate the use of our website by our registered users, which could raise privacy
concerns.
Visitors to our website that register with us receive access to home listing and related
information that we do not make available to unregistered users. As part of the registration
process, our registered users consent to our use of information we gather from their use of our
website, such as the geographic areas in which they search for homes, the price range of homes they
view, their activities while on our website and other similar information. They also provide us
with personal information such as telephone numbers and email addresses and our registered users
consent to our internal use of personal information. Our website includes a copy of our privacy
policy, which sets forth our practices with respect to sharing website use and personal information
when necessary to administer products or services we or companies with which we are affiliated may
provide, when we have users permission, when required by law, or as otherwise described in our
privacy policy. If we were to use this information outside the scope of our privacy policy or
otherwise fail to observe any legal obligation keep this information confidential from third
parties, including our former agents, we may be subject to legal claims or government action and
our reputation and business could be harmed. Also, concern among consumers regarding our use of
information gathered from visitors to our website could cause them not to register with us, which
would reduce the number of leads we derive from our website. Because our website is our primary
client acquisition tool, any resistance by consumers to register on our website would harm our
business and results of operations, and could cause us to alter our business practices (including
our offering of, or entry into joint marketing arrangements for, core services such as insurance
and mortgage) or incur significant expenses to educate consumers regarding the use we make of
information.
The value of our services could be diminished if anti-spam software filters out an increasing
portion of the emails we send.
Our ZAP system includes a feature that sends out personalized email messages to our registered
users on behalf of our agents. Given the volume of these messages, anti-spam software used by
Internet service providers and personal computer users sometimes treats these messages incorrectly
as unsolicited email, or spam, and filters them out. If this problem becomes more pervasive, the
value of this aspect of our marketing and communication approach could be diminished, which could
harm our business.
40
We may be subject to liability for the Internet content that we publish.
As a publisher of online content, we face potential liability for negligence, copyright,
patent or trademark infringement, or other claims based on the nature and content of the material
that we publish or distribute. Such claims may include the posting of confidential data, erroneous
listings or listing information and the erroneous removal of listings. These types of claims have
been brought successfully against the providers of online services in the past and could be brought
against us or others in our industry. In addition, we may face liability if a MLS member or
participant utilizes an opt-out provision, as previously discussed, and we fail to comply with that
requirement. These claims, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation, business and
financial condition. Although we carry general liability insurance, our insurance may not cover
claims of these types or may be inadequate to protect us from all liability that we may incur.
We may need to change the manner in which we conduct our business if government regulation of the
Internet increases.
The adoption or modification of laws or regulations relating to the Internet could adversely
affect the manner in which we currently conduct our business. In addition, the growth and
development of the market for online commerce may lead to more stringent consumer protection laws
that may impose additional burdens on us. Laws and regulations directly applicable to
communications or commerce over the Internet are becoming more prevalent. For example, both the
U.S. government and the State of California have enacted Internet laws regarding privacy and
sharing of customer information with third parties. Laws applicable to the Internet remain largely
unsettled, even in areas where there has been some legislative action. It may take years to
determine whether and how existing laws such as those governing intellectual property, privacy,
libel and taxation apply to the Internet.
In addition, because each state in which we do business requires us to be a licensed real
estate broker, and residents of states in which we do not do business could potentially access our
website, changes in Internet regulation could lead to situations in which we are considered to
operate or do business in such states. Any such change could result in potential claims or
regulatory action (including with respect to our offering of, or entry into joint marketing
arrangements for, core services such as insurance and mortgage).
If we are required to comply with new regulations or new interpretations of existing
regulations, we may not be able to differentiate our services from traditional competitors and may
not attract a sufficient number of clients for our business to be successful.
Our operating results are subject to seasonality and vary significantly among quarters during each
calendar year, making meaningful comparisons of successive quarters difficult.
The residential real estate market traditionally has experienced seasonality, with a peak in
the spring and summer seasons and a decrease in activity during the fall and winter seasons.
Revenues in each quarter are significantly affected by activity during the prior quarter, given the
typical 30- to 45-day time lag between contract execution and closing. Historically, this
seasonality has caused our revenues, operating income, net income and cash flow from operating
activities to be lower in the first and fourth quarters and higher in the second and third quarters
of each year. However, there can be no assurance that the seasonality pattern for fiscal year 2007
or any fiscal year will be consistent, and macroeconomic changes in the market could mask the
impact of seasonality.
Factors affecting the timing of real estate transactions that can cause our quarterly results
to fluctuate include:
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timing of widely observed holidays and vacation periods and availability of home buyers
and sellers, real estate agents and related service providers during these periods; |
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a desire to relocate prior to the start of the school year; |
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inclement weather, which can influence consumers desire or ability to visit properties; |
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timing of employment compensation changes, such as raises and bonuses; |
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the time between entry into a purchase contract for real estate and closing of the
transaction; and |
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the levels of housing inventory available for sale. |
41
We expect our revenues to continue to be subject to these seasonal fluctuations, which,
combined with our recent growth and macroeconomic market changes, make it difficult to compare
successive quarters.
Our reputation and client and agent service offerings may be harmed by system failures and
computer viruses.
The performance and reliability of our technology infrastructure are critical to our
reputation and ability to attract and retain clients and agents. Our network infrastructure is
currently co-located at a facility in Sunnyvale, California with a back-up facility in Aurora,
Colorado. Our systems and operations are vulnerable to interruption or malfunction due to certain
events beyond our control, including natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fire and flood, power
loss, telecommunication failures, break-ins, sabotage, computer viruses, intentional acts of
vandalism and similar events. Any interruption, delay or system failure could result in client and
financial losses, litigation or other consumer claims and damage to our reputation.
Our business is geographically concentrated, which makes us more susceptible to business
interruption and financial loss due to natural disasters, inclement weather, economic or market
conditions or other regional events outside of our control.
Presently, our business is conducted principally in a few states in the western United States,
especially California, and along the eastern seaboard. For example,
we derived approximately 35% and 40% in the first quarter of 2008 and
2007, respectively, of
our net transaction revenues in the State of California. In
addition, our servers and other technology infrastructure are located principally in the State of
California. Our geographic concentration makes us as a whole more vulnerable to the effects of
forces and events beyond our reasonable control, such as regional disasters including earthquakes,
harsh weather, economic or market conditions, or other events outside of our control, such as
shifts in populations away from markets that we serve, or terrorist attacks. These events could
cause us to sustain a business interruption or other financial loss that would be greater than if
our business were more dispersed geographically.
Our intellectual property rights are valuable and our failure to protect those rights could
adversely affect our business.
Our intellectual property rights, including existing and future patents, trademarks, trade
secrets and copyrights, are and will continue to be valuable and important assets of our business.
We believe that our proprietary ZAP technology and ZipNotify, as well as our ability to
interoperate with multiple MLSs and our other technologies and business practices, are competitive
advantages and that any duplication by competitors would harm our business. We have taken measures
to protect our intellectual property, but these measures may not be sufficient or effective. For
example, we seek to avoid disclosure of our intellectual property by requiring employees and
consultants with access to our proprietary information to execute confidentiality agreements. We
also seek to maintain certain intellectual property as trade secrets. Intellectual property laws
and contractual restrictions may not prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property or deter
others from developing similar technologies. In addition, others may develop technologies that are
similar or superior to our technology, including our patented technology. Any significant
impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business.
We may in the future be subject to intellectual property rights disputes, which could divert
management attention, be costly to defend and require us to limit our service offerings.
Our business depends on the protection and utilization of our intellectual property. Other
companies may develop or acquire intellectual property rights that could prevent, limit or
interfere with our ability to provide our products and services. One or more of these companies,
which could include our competitors, could make claims alleging infringement of their intellectual
property rights. Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming
and expensive to litigate or settle and could significantly divert management resources and
attention.
Our technologies may not be able to withstand any third-party claims or rights against their
use. If we were unable to defend successfully against such claims, we may have to:
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pay damages; |
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stop using the technology found to be in violation of a third partys rights; |
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seek a license for the infringing technology; or |
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develop alternative non-infringing technology. |
42
If we need to obtain a license for the infringing technology, it may not be available on
reasonable terms, if at all. Developing alternative non-infringing technology could require
significant effort and expense. If we cannot license or develop alternative technology for any
infringing aspects of our business on attractive terms, we may be forced to limit our product and
service offerings. Any of these results could reduce our ability to compete effectively and harm
our business and results of operations.
We intend to evaluate acquisitions or investments in complementary technologies and businesses and
we may not realize the anticipated benefits from, and may have to pay substantial costs related
to, any acquisitions or investments that we undertake.
As part of our business strategy, we plan to evaluate acquisitions of, or investments in,
complementary technologies and businesses, including acquisitions of our own stock. We may be
unable to identify suitable acquisition candidates in the future or be able to make these
acquisitions on a commercially reasonable basis, or at all. If we complete an acquisition or
investment, we may not realize the benefits we expect to derive from the transaction. Any future
acquisitions and investments would have several risks, including:
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our inability to successfully integrate acquired technologies or operations; |
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diversion of managements attention; |
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problems maintaining uniform standards, procedures, controls and policies; |
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potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of debt or
contingent liabilities; |
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expenses related to amortization of intangible assets; |
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risks associated with operating a business or in a market in which we have little or no
prior experience; |
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potential write offs of acquired assets; |
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loss of key employees of acquired businesses; |
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our inability to recover the costs of acquisitions or investments; and |
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our inability to increase earnings per share. |
OTHER RISKS RELATED TO OUR STOCK PRICE
Our stock price may be volatile.
The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate widely, depending upon many factors, some
of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among others, the risks identified above
and the following:
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variations in our quarterly results of operations; |
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changes in our financial guidance for future periods; |
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announcements by us or our competitors or lead source providers; |
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the relatively low level of public float and average daily trading volumes of our common
stock; |
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changes in estimates of our performance or recommendations, or termination of coverage,
by securities analysts; |
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inability to meet quarterly or yearly estimates or targets of our performance; |
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the hiring or departure of key personnel, including agents or groups of agents or key
executives; |
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changes in our reputation; |
43
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acquisitions or strategic alliances involving us or our competitors; |
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changes in the legal and regulatory environment, as well as the rules of trade
associations, affecting our business; and |
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market conditions in our industry and the economy as a whole. |
In addition, the stock market in general, and the market for technology companies in
particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated
or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and
industry factors may seriously harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual
operating performance. Also, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and
the market price of a companys securities, securities class action litigation has often been
instituted against these companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in
substantial costs and a diversion of our managements attention and resources and could harm the
price of our common stock. Although we carry general liability and errors and omissions insurance,
our insurance may not cover claims of these types or may be inadequate to protect us from all
liability that we may incur.
Our share price could decline due to the large number of outstanding shares of our common stock
eligible for future sale.
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of substantial amounts
of our common stock in the public market, or from the perception that these sales could occur.
These sales could also make it more difficult for us to sell our equity or equity-related
securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate.
As of March 31, 2008, we had 23,650,441 shares of common stock outstanding. In April 2008, we
repurchased approximately 3.5 million of these shares from Pyramid Technology Ventures I, L.P. All
of the remaining shares are eligible for sale, subject in some cases to the volume and other
restrictions of Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act of 1933.
The relatively small average daily trading volume of our stock could result in volatility in our
trading prices, particularly if a large block of our stock is traded.
The average daily trading volume of our common stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market is relatively
small, averaging approximately 34,000 shares per trading day during our first quarter of 2008.
Consequently, the trading price of our stock on any given day could be volatile, particularly if a
relatively large block of stock is traded on that day. For example, several of our earliest
investors, including Benchmark Capital Partners, Vanguard Ventures, and each of their affiliates,
still own a significant number of shares of our common stock. If these investors, or any other
holders of our common stock, determined to sell all or a part of their holdings, those sales could
depress the trading price of our common stock.
Our principal stockholders, executive officers and directors own a significant percentage of our
stock, and as a result, the trading price for our shares may be depressed and these stockholders
can take actions that may be adverse to your interests.
Our executive officers and directors and entities affiliated with them, in the aggregate,
beneficially own approximately one-third of our common stock. This significant concentration of
share ownership may adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors often
perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with controlling stockholders. These
stockholders, acting together, may have the ability to exert control over all matters requiring
approval by our stockholders, including the election and removal of directors and any proposed
merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, these
stockholders who are executive officers or directors, or who have representatives on our Board of
Directors, could dictate the management of our business and affairs. This concentration of
ownership could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, or
impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other business combination that could be favorable
to our other stockholders.
Our charter documents and Delaware law could prevent a takeover that stockholders consider
favorable and could also reduce the market price of our stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws contain provisions that
could delay or prevent a change in control of our company. These provisions could also make it more
difficult for stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These provisions
include:
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providing for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms; |
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not providing for cumulative voting in the election of directors; |
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authorizing the board to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock with rights
senior to those of common stock; |
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prohibiting stockholder action by written consent; |
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limiting the persons who may call special meetings of stockholders; and |
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requiring advance notification of stockholder nominations and proposals. |
In addition, the provisions of Section 203 of Delaware General Corporate Law govern us. These
provisions may prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of our
outstanding voting stock, from merging or combining with us for a certain period of time.
These and other provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our
bylaws and under Delaware law could discourage potential takeover attempts, reduce the price that
investors might be willing to pay for shares of our common stock in the future and result in the
market price being lower than it would be without these provisions.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds:
On November 9, 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective our
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-115657) for our initial public offering. We
commenced our offering immediately thereafter. We completed our sale of 4,550,000 shares of common
stock on November 15, 2004 at a price of $13.00 per share, and on November 18, 2004 we sold the
remainder of our registered shares of common stock (682,500 shares) at the same price per share
pursuant to the underwriters exercise of the over-allotment option. UBS Securities LLC, Deutsche
Bank Securities Inc., Thomas Weisel Partners LLC and Pacific Growth Equities, LLC acted as the
underwriters for the offering.
The aggregate purchase price of the offering was $68,022,500. The net offering proceeds
received by us after deducting total estimated expenses were $61,402,757. We incurred total
estimated expenses in connection with the offering of $6,619,743, which consisted of $1,795,943 in
legal, accounting and printing fees, $4,761,575 in underwriters discounts, fees and commissions,
and $62,225 in miscellaneous expenses. No payments for such expenses were made directly or
indirectly to (i) any of our directors, officers or their associates, (ii) any person owning 10% or
more of any class of our equity securities or (iii) any of our affiliates.
In April 2008, we repurchased approximately 3.5 million shares of our common stock then held
by Pyramid Technology Ventures I, L.P. (Pyramid), for a purchase price of $5.00 per share for a
total purchase price of approximately $17.4 million, as reported on our Current Report Form 8-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 8, 2008. These shares represented
approximately 15% of our common stock then outstanding. Marc L. Cellier, a managing member of the
general partner of Pyramid, was formerly a member of our Board of Directors but resigned from this
position in October 2007. Mr. Cellier has disclaimed beneficial ownership of the shares we
repurchased from Pyramid except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. We used a portion of
the net proceeds from our initial public offering to fund this
transaction.
We have not used any of the remaining $44 million of net offering proceeds from the offering
for operational purposes. We currently estimate that we will use the remaining net proceeds as
described in the prospectus for the offering: for general corporate purposes, including working
capital. We have not assigned specific portions of the remaining net proceeds for any particular
uses, and we will retain broad discretion in the allocation of the remaining net proceeds. Although
we evaluate potential acquisitions of complementary businesses, technologies or other assets in the
ordinary course of business, we have no specific understandings, commitments or agreements with
respect to any acquisition at this time.
Pending such uses, we have invested all of the remaining net proceeds from the offering in
short-term, investment-grade securities. We cannot predict whether the remaining net proceeds
invested will yield a favorable return.
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Item 5. Other Information:
None.
Item 6. Exhibits:
The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index are filed as a part of this report.
46
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
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ZIPREALTY, INC.
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By: |
/s/ David A. Rector
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David A. Rector |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Date: May 12, 2008
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Exhibit Index
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| Exhibit number |
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Description |
3.1(a)(1)
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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation |
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3.2(a)(1)
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Bylaws |
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4.1(1)
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Form of Common Stock Certificate |
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10.1(2)
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Securities Purchase Agreement entered into as of April 2, 2008 between the
Company and Pyramid Technology Ventures I, L.P. |
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10.2*
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Settlement Agreement and Release with Thomas M. Perrault dated January 23, 2008 |
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10.3*
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Management Incentive Plan Fiscal Year 2008 (Clarified) |
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31.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as required by Rule 13a-14(a) or
Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
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31.2
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as required by Rule 13a-14(a) or
Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
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32.1
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer, as required by Section 1350 of
Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) |
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32.2
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer, as required by Section 1350 of
Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) |
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| (1) |
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Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the Registrants Registration
Statement on Form S-1(File No. 333-115657) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on May 20, 2004, as amended. |
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| (2) |
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Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the Registrants Current
Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-51002) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 8, 2008. |
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| * |
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Identifies a management contract or compensatory plan or agreement required to be filed as an
exhibit of this report. |
48