Summary of Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation—The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The financial information as of December 31, 2020 that is included in this quarterly report is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in Item 8 in our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2020. Such financial information should be read in conjunction with the notes and management’s discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial statements included in our annual report.

The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2021, our statements of comprehensive (loss) income, and statements of changes in mezzanine equity and stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, as well as our statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021 or for any interim period or for any other future year.

Certain amounts presented in the prior period consolidated statements of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. The change in classification does not affect previously reported cash flows from operating activities, investing activities, or financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Principles of Consolidation—The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of Redfin Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in conformity with GAAP, requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and results of operations during the respective periods. Our estimates include, but are not limited to, the valuation of deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, net realizable value of inventory, capitalization of website and software development costs, the incremental borrowing rate for the determination of the present value of lease payments, recoverability of intangible assets with finite lives, fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale, fair value of interest rate lock commitments, and forward sales commitments, fair value of reporting units for purposes of evaluating goodwill for impairment, current expected credit losses on certain financial assets, the fair value of the convertible feature related to our convertible senior notes, and the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with our acquisition of RentPath. The amounts ultimately realized from the affected assets or ultimately recognized as liabilities will depend on, among other factors, general business conditions and could differ materially in the near term from the carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

Convertible Senior Notes—In accounting for the issuance of our convertible senior notes, we treat the instrument wholly as a liability, in accordance with the adoption of ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity ("ASU 2020-06").

Issuance costs are being amortized to expense over the respective term of the convertible senior notes.

For conversions prior to the maturity of the notes, we will settle using cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at our election. The carrying amount of the instrument (including unamortized debt issuance costs) is reduced by cash and other assets transferred, with the difference reflected as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. The indentures governing our convertible senior notes allow us, under certain circumstances, to irrevocably fix our method for settling conversions of the applicable notes by giving notice to the noteholders. Our election to irrevocably fix the settlement method could affect the calculation of diluted earnings per share when applicable. We have no plans to exercise our rights to fix the settlement method.

Rentals Revenue—Due to our acquisition of RentPath, we now record rentals revenue which is primarily composed of subscription-based product offerings for internet listing services, as well as lead management and digital marketing solutions. Rentals revenue is recorded as a component of service revenue in our consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised service to customers over time in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those services. Revenues from subscription-based services are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract, which generally have a term of less than one year. Revenue is presented net of sales allowances, which are not material.

The transaction price for a contract is generally determined by the stated price in the contract, excluding any related sales taxes. We enter into contracts that can include various combinations of subscription services, which are capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation in the contract on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. Generally, the combinations of subscription services are fulfilled concurrently and are co-terminus. Our rentals contracts do not contain any refund provisions other than in the event of our non-performance or breach.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements—In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued authoritative guidance under ASU 2020-06.

This guidance removes the liability and equity separation models for convertible instruments with a cash conversion feature or beneficial conversion feature. As a result, companies will more likely account for a convertible debt instrument wholly as debt, and for convertible preferred stock wholly as preferred stock (i.e., as a single unit of account). In addition, the guidance simplifies the settlement assessment that issuers perform to determine whether a contract in their own equity qualifies for equity classification. Finally, the guidance requires entities to use the if-converted method to calculate earnings per share for all convertible instruments.

We early adopted ASU 2020-06 as of January 1, 2021 using the modified retrospective approach. The cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard was recognized as an adjustment to accumulated deficit. Upon the adoption of the new standard we recognized the following adjustments:


	Ending Balance as of December 31, 2020		ASU 2020-06 Adjustments		Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2021
Convertible senior notes, net	$	22,482	$	2,723	$	25,205
Convertible senior notes, net, noncurrent	488,268		159,755		648,023
Additional paid-in capital	860,556		(170,240)		690,316
Accumulated deficit	(270,313)		7,762		(262,551)

The $7,762 adjustment to accumulated deficit represents a reduction to non-cash interest expense related to the accretion of the debt discount under the historical separation model.