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Investment in Joint Venture Arrangements
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Investment in Joint Venture Arrangements [Abstract]  
Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Investment in Joint Venture Arrangements
In order to minimize our investment and risk of land exposure in a single location, we have periodically partnered with other land developers or homebuilders to share in the land investment and development of a property through joint ownership and development agreements, joint ventures, and other similar arrangements. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our investment in such joint venture arrangements totaled $57.1 million and $34.7 million, respectively, and was reported as Investment in Joint Venture Arrangements on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The increase from prior year was driven primarily by our cash contributions to our joint venture arrangements during 2021 of $51.6 million offset, in part, by lot distributions from our joint venture arrangements during 2021 of $28.1 million.
The majority of our investment in joint venture arrangements for both 2021 and 2020 consisted of joint ownership and development agreements for which a special purpose entity was not established (“JODAs”). In these JODAs, we own the property jointly with partners which are typically other builders, and land development activities are funded jointly until the developed lots are subdivided for separate ownership by the partners in accordance with the JODA and the approved site plan. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had $50.6 million and $33.9 million, respectively, invested in JODAs.
The remainder of our investment in joint venture arrangements was comprised of joint venture arrangements where a special purpose entity was established to own and develop the property. For these joint venture arrangements, we generally enter into limited liability company or similar arrangements (“LLCs”) with the other partners. These entities typically engage in land development activities for the purpose of distributing or selling developed lots to the Company and its partners in the LLC. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had $6.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of equity invested in LLCs. The Company’s percentage of ownership in these LLCs as of December 31, 2021 ranged from 25% to 50% and as of December 31, 2020 ranged from 25% to 74%.
We use the equity method of accounting for investments in LLCs and other joint venture arrangements, including JODAs, over which we exercise significant influence but do not have a controlling interest. Under the equity method, our share of the LLCs’ earnings or loss, if any, is included in our Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company’s equity in income relating to
earnings from its LLCs was $0.1 million for year ended December 31, 2021, $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our share of the profit relating to lots we purchase from our LLCs is deferred until homes are delivered by us and title passes to a homebuyer.
We believe that the Company’s maximum exposure related to its investment in these joint venture arrangements as of December 31, 2021 was the amount invested of $57.1 million, which is reported as Investment in Joint Venture Arrangements on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We expect to invest further amounts in these joint venture arrangements as development of the properties progresses.
The Company assesses its investments in joint venture arrangements for recoverability on a quarterly basis in accordance with ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323”) as described below. If the fair value of the investment is less than the investment’s carrying value, and the Company determines that the decline in value is other than temporary, the Company will write down the value of the investment to its estimated fair value. The determination of whether an investment’s fair value is less than the carrying value requires management to make certain assumptions regarding the amount and timing of future contributions to the joint venture arrangements, the timing of distribution of lots to the Company from the joint venture arrangements, the projected fair value of the lots at the time of distribution to the Company, and the estimated proceeds from, and timing of, the sale of land or lots to third parties. In determining the fair value of investments in joint venture arrangements, the Company evaluates the projected cash flows associated with each joint venture arrangement.
As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company used a discount rate of 16% in determining the fair value of investments in joint venture arrangements. In addition to the assumptions management must make to determine if the investment’s fair value is less than the carrying value, management must also use judgment in determining whether the impairment is other than temporary. The factors management considers are: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost; (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the joint venture arrangement; and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the joint venture arrangements for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. Due to uncertainties in the estimation process and the significant volatility in demand for new housing, actual results could differ significantly from such estimates.
Variable Interest Entities
With respect to our investments in these LLCs, we are required, under ASC 810-10, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), to evaluate whether or not such entities should be consolidated into our Consolidated Financial Statements. We initially perform these evaluations when each new entity is created and upon any events that require reconsideration of the entity. In order to determine if we should consolidate an LLC, we determine (1) if the LLC is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and (2) if we are the primary beneficiary of the entity. To determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of an entity, we consider whether we have the ability to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. This analysis considers, among other things, whether we have: the ability to determine the budget and scope of land development work, if any; the ability to control financing decisions for the VIE; the ability to acquire additional land into the VIE or dispose of land in the VIE not under contract with M/I Homes; and the ability to change or amend the existing option contract with the VIE. If we determine that we are not able to control such activities, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we have determined that no LLC in which we have an interest met the requirements of a VIE.