Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, pre-tax income was $48 million, net income was $37 million, and adjusted net income was $46 million, reflecting increases of 7% and 10% sequentially [13] - Home sales revenues were $955 million, down 2% sequentially, while deliveries of homes declined by 4% [13] - Adjusted home building gross margin improved to 20.1% from 20% in Q2, driven by lower direct costs offsetting higher incentives [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company delivered 2,486 homes, hitting the high end of guidance, with an average sales price of $384,000, up 2% quarter-over-quarter [4][13] - Net new contracts for Q3 were 2,386 homes, a decline of 6% sequentially, but better than the historical average decline of 9% [8] - The ending community count increased by 5% year-over-year to 321 communities [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company holds top 10 positions in 13 of the 50 largest U.S. markets, with expectations for mid-single-digit percentage growth in community count by year-end 2025 [6] - The average cycle time for home deliveries improved to 115 calendar days, with one-third of divisions achieving 100 days or less [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deepen its market share in existing markets while controlling costs and maintaining an adequate supply of land [18] - The strategy includes investing in people, processes, and systems to drive operational improvements, with expectations for growth to be realized once the market normalizes [6][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while home buyer demand has been muted due to economic uncertainty, there is pent-up demand for affordable homes supported by demographic trends [5] - The company expects that any interest rate relief and improvement in consumer confidence will unlock buyer demand [5] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $20 million of its shares in Q3, totaling 6% of shares outstanding year-to-date [4][17] - The company completed a private offering of $500 million in senior notes, providing flexibility with leverage management [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Adjusted gross margin performance - Management attributed the adjusted gross margin exceeding guidance to successful cost controls and lower direct costs, despite increased incentives [20] Question: Impact of adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) - Management noted a significant increase in ARMs usage among buyers, which helps address affordability challenges, and expects this trend to continue [21] Question: Community count guidance - Management confirmed a mid-single-digit increase in community count by year-end, indicating a significant ramp-up in Q4 [25][26] Question: Consumer behavior and incentives - Management observed cautious consumer behavior, particularly at entry-level price points, and anticipates increased incentives in Q4 due to competition [28] Question: SG&A cost reductions - Management highlighted operational efficiencies and headcount adjustments as key drivers for lower SG&A costs, with a focus on maintaining efficiency going forward [32][33] Question: Lot abandonment and future projects - Management explained that they are underwriting to current market conditions, leading to the exit from certain projects, while maintaining a steady owned lot count [35] Question: Average sales price dynamics - Management clarified that the sequential lift in average sales price was primarily driven by a favorable mix of deliveries rather than incentives [38] Question: Tariff impact for next year - Management stated it is too early to estimate the impact of tariffs for next year, as the situation remains fluid [41]