Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                     to                     

Commission file number: 000-51032

 

 

Market Leader, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Washington   91-1982679
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
11332 NE 122nd Way, Suite 200 Kirkland, WA   98034
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

425-952-5500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $.001 par value   The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes  ¨     No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

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 “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨                                 Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)             Smaller reporting company  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing sale price on June 30, 2012 as reported on The Nasdaq Global Select Market was approximately $112,896,000.

As of March 8, 2013, there were outstanding 26,817,512 shares of the registrant’s common stock which is the only class of common stock of the registrant.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of Market Leader, Inc.’s definitive proxy statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

PART I

     

Item 1.

   Business      3   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      8   

Item 1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments      18   

Item 2.

   Properties      18   

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings      18   

Item 4.

   Mine Safety Disclosures      18   

PART II

     

Item 5.

  

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     19   

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data      20   

Item 7.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     20   

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      30   

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      30   

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     30   

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures      31   

Item 9B.

   Other Information      33   

PART III

     

Item 10.

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      33   

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation      33   

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     33   

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence      34   

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      34   

PART IV

     

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules      35   

 


Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1: BUSINESS

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements relating to our anticipated plans, products, services, and financial performance. Other than statements of historical fact, all statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking, including, but not limited to, statements regarding industry prospects, future results of operations or financial position , and statements of our intent, belief and current expectations about our strategic direction, prospective and future financial results and condition. The words “will,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean the statement is not forward looking. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements. Factors that could affect the company’s actual results include its ability to retain and increase its customer base, including enterprise customers and real estate professionals, to sell premium products to real estate professionals associated with enterprise customers, to continue to grow revenues, to respond to competitive threats and real estate market conditions, to develop new products, and to develop new revenue sources and other matters discussed in “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that contemplated future events, plans or expectations will be achieved. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report and, except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any of these statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “Market Leader,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Market Leader, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Company Background and Overview

Market Leader, founded in 1999, provides innovative online technology and marketing solutions for real estate professionals across the United States and Canada. We serve 125,000 real estate agents, brokerages and franchisors, offering complete end-to-end solutions that enable them to grow and manage their businesses. Our subscription-based real estate marketing software and services help customers generate a steady stream of prospects, plus provide the systems and training they need to convert those prospects into clients. In addition, our national consumer real estate sites, including www.realestate.com, give its customers access to millions of future home buyers and sellers, while providing consumers with free access to the information they seek.

We offer our services to real estate professionals, both directly and through marketing relationships with leading franchise networks. Starting in 2011, with the announcement of our selection by Keller Williams Realty International to provide our comprehensive end-to-end marketing solution to its entire franchise organization of approximately 80,000 professionals, we implemented an effective strategy to build and maintain sales and marketing channel relationships with major franchise networks and large brokerage companies to sell from the top down. These strategic relationships enable us to tap into the influence, credibility, and existing sales and marketing infrastructure of these franchise networks in order to cost-effectively acquire high-value, premium customers.

Under these strategic agreements, we typically provide a base level version of our software-as-a-service products to agents and brokers enterprise-wide in exchange for specified contractual revenue over a number of years. These enterprise customers have a business incentive to partner with us and drive broad platform adoption of our software-as-a-service solutions, because it helps foster success and performance improvements within their agent base. Our strategy is to leverage the resulting broad access to sell recurring subscriptions to our premium services, including both software upgrades and marketing services. This strategy has contributed to our strong revenue growth.

 

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We extended our access in the enterprise space with the signing of two additional agreements in 2012 with CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, both national franchisors.

At the core of our value proposition is a comprehensive software-as-a-service-based marketing solution for real estate professionals. We provide a personalized, customer-branded website, with complete multiple listing service (MLS) integration, that is optimized to generate consumer response. We also enable real estate professionals to leverage a library of sales and marketing materials in order to design, create, publish, and manage their own personalized marketing campaigns. And we provide tools to generate traffic and leads, and engage with all of their contacts and clients through our proprietary customer relationship management (CRM) tool. All of these services are delivered as one tightly integrated solution that we believe is unparalleled in comprehensiveness, power, and ease of use.

Our software-as-a-service based products are delivered primarily through a single, flexible and robust software platform that can be configured and integrated with other services to create customized solutions for our enterprise customers. These software-as-a-service based products extend our legacy as an innovator of internet-based marketing services for real estate professionals since our inception.

Our original business model pioneered online lead-generation services for real estate agents. Our traditional lead-generation products, HouseValues® and JustListed®, delivered home seller or buyer leads to customers.

These traditional products drove extremely rapid growth in our early years that was aided in part by a robust residential real estate market. When the slowdown in real estate transactions led to declines in our traditional business, we adapted by significantly reducing expenses in all categories. Sales efforts associated with traditional products were curtailed and related development was discontinued. By utilizing the cash flows of our traditional business, we preserved our capital, enhanced our ability to invest in new products, and to rebuild the Company around more powerful, software-as-a-service offerings.

During 2011 we continued to enhance our software-as-a-service based offering and our presence in the marketing services segment through our acquisitions of SharperAgent and asset of RealEstate.com. During 2012 we integrated SharperAgent’s marketing campaign, design, and print capabilities into our software platform. The integration of this application with our software-as-a-service platform adds new value for existing customers while enhancing their productivity. In addition during 2012, we released a number of important enhancements to RealEstate.com and Housevalues.com and have integrated both with our software-as-a-service platform, providing our customers with the opportunity to leverage consumer engagement through these national real estate websites to drive new business and differentiate themselves in their local markets.

Services for Our Customers — Real Estate Professionals

We provide the majority of our real estate professional customers with software-as-a-service-based marketing services, a bundle of services that may include some or all of the following:

 

   

Software-as-a-service, including customer relationship management (CRM) tools, personalized websites, marketing tools, and content designed to help our customers build online relationships with prospective home buyers and sellers.

Our cloud-based system helps our real estate professional customers manage and cultivate prospects. By automating many of the repetitive tasks that are required in order to follow up and communicate with potential clients, these tools allow our customers to focus on transacting their current business while efficiently marketing their services to potential clients, maintaining a pipeline of future business opportunities. Our CRM tools also include proprietary real estate content and consumer email campaigns that our customers use to position themselves as highly engaged, technology-savvy neighborhood experts. By incorporating a tightly integrated, agent-branded website, these systems offer the added advantage of real-time insight into consumer online behavior. Our customers are also able to leverage the marketing campaign management tools, print, and design center capabilities of our CRM.

 

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Marketplace products that utilize our advertising expertise and leverage our national real estate websites to produce leads in the local neighborhoods where our customers do business.

 

   

Community and training services that enable our customers to share and learn best practices to help them close more business with Internet consumers.

Our customers are invited to participate in company-hosted group coaching calls and peer-to-peer “best practices” training conference calls. Performance measurement and benchmarking tools built into these products also enable comparison of key performance factors to those of successful producers while highlighting areas for improvement. These community and training services also include social media and networking through our ActiveRain network. With over 330,000 members, this networkwas identified as the leading professional and social media site focused on the real-estate industry identified by the National Association of Realtors 2010 REALTOR® Technology Survey Report.

We offer our products for a monthly fixed fee. Our software customers often buy marketplace services in addition to their software-as-a-service subscription, and they have the flexibility to adjust these marketing expenditures as their business needs dictate.

We believe that successful real estate professionals typically have systems and processes in place to capture and develop leads or prospects, and to maintain and expand their businesses. In addition, we believe that the value of the website traffic and leads generated for our customers through our network of websites and national advertising expertise is enhanced when combined with our integrated software-as-a-service platform that helps our customers convert these leads into closed transactions.

We believe that our specialized real estate marketing services capabilities provide a competitive advantage for our customers. We use direct-response advertising to drive prospective home buyers and sellers to our real estate-oriented websites. We regularly advertise on major Internet search engines and other websites, and sometimes supplement this advertising with national and local television advertising and other media to help manage and geographically target consumer traffic and lead volume.

How We Generate Revenues

We generate the majority of our revenues from the services we provide to real estate professionals. We charge real estate professionals recurring monthly fees for our software-as-a-service tools. We also generate recurring revenue from advertising and print services.

We recognize monthly fees as revenue in the month that the service is provided, and we recognize revenue from any set-up fees on a straight-line basis over the estimated customer life.

We also generate revenues through enterprise marketing agreements with two leading franchise networks. These agreements provide for minimum payments from the franchise networks in order to make a base level product available to all their agents and/or brokerages. Revenue from our third enterprise agreement is expected in April 2013. In addition, we generate revenue through sales of premium products to individual agents, teams and brokerage offices. As with all our software-as-a-service products, revenue from the premium products is billed monthly and recognized in the month service is provided.

Our Expenses

The largest components of our expenses are personnel and marketing costs. Personnel expenses are categorized in our statements of operations based on each employee’s principal function. Marketing expenses consist of programs designed to attract consumers to our websites and to promote our services to potential customers — residential real estate professionals.

 

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Geographic Areas

We generate most of our revenue from customers in the United States. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, revenue generated from customers located within the United States was $43.0 million and $31.7 million, respectively. The rest of our revenue is primarily from Canada.

Market and Competition

An estimated $24 billion was spent in 2012 on real estate-related marketing in the U.S., according to Borrell Associates. Of this large market, our current product offerings are focused on the $11 billion that is spent by residential real estate professionals.

We believe the principal competitive factors affecting our markets are product selection and quality; price; customer service and support; brand recognition; and reputation, reliability and trust. We believe that we compete effectively in these areas and that several factors contribute to our competitive advantage.

We believe that our comprehensive real estate marketing platform provides us with a unique competitive advantage with real estate professionals and particularly with large franchise networks and brokerage companies. These leading franchises are recognizing that Market Leader’s software-as-a-service platform can help them recruit and retain agents, while also making those agents more productive. We believe our highly-integrated platform delivers much more value and convenience than those of our competitors, whose functionality is limited to a narrow segment. We expect to further enhance the value we deliver to customers as we continue to expand the breadth of our solution.

We believe that our focus on online marketing products continues to be a competitive advantage as we compete for real estate marketing dollars because consumers are online. According to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, in 2012 90% of home buyers used the Internet to search for homes and about two-thirds selected the first real estate agent they interviewed. By helping real estate agents provide market and listing information early in the consumers’ home buying process, our products help position the agent to win the business of assisting these consumers in their home buying and selling transactions.

Our advertising expertise and the size and geographic breadth of our customer base create efficiencies in consumer lead-generation, website traffic and distribution of traffic and prospects that may not be available to competitors that lack our experience, scale and nationwide distribution.

Finally, our products provide our real estate professional customers greater insight into the online behavior of their consumer prospects than traditional real estate lead-generation systems. The differentiated design and features of our services can result in efficiency and efficacy for our customers, and their success and satisfaction can lead to stronger retention and high lifetime customer value.

Our current competitors include online companies focused on residential real estate, internet media companies, and traditional sellers of advertising to real estate professionals.

Technology and Infrastructure

We have built and acquired proprietary systems to provide and host our suite of services to our real estate professional customers, to interact with real estate consumers, and to manage our business.

Software-as-a-Service offerings – Our software-as-a-service based products include websites that we provide to our customers to enable consumers to research home listings and comprehensive neighborhood information online. These websites are tightly integrated with our proprietary CRM tool. Our CRM tools are also integrated with marketing campaign, print, and design center capabilities for customers. We have focused our

 

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ongoing development efforts on the software-as-a-service based products, which drove the majority of our revenue in 2012. Additionally, our ActiveRain social media network offers a variety of software-as-a-service tools including professional networking and online marketing services for real estate professionals.

Marketplace Offerings– By way of our national real estate websites as well as our hosted customer websites, we provide our customers access to millions of future home buyers and sellers, while providing consumers with free access to the information they seek. We have built systems to efficiently deliver website traffic and advertising services to our customers. We use geo-targeted, business-rule driven traffic routing and lead management systems that enable us to manage traffic and lead flow and to optimize monetization across our customer base. In addition, we interact with thousands of online consumers every day, driving traffic to the websites we host and enable tracking and testing so that we can monitor visitor conversion metrics.

Training Systems– We provide our customers with marketing materials, training and support, including online training and certification programs.

Our systems are hosted in co-location facilities in Kent, Washington and Denver, Colorado. We have secure and fully redundant systems and our software and databases are backed up daily and stored at an offsite location.

Intellectual Property

To protect our proprietary rights, we rely on a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, confidentiality agreements with our employees and consultants, and confidentiality provisions in our vendor and client agreements. We currently have thirty-six trademarks registered in the United States and five trademarks registered in Canada. Applications for additional trademarks are pending for our product names and certain words and phrases that we use in our business. We have four patents registered in the United States., and we have one pending patent application. We also rely on copyright laws to protect computer programs relating to our websites and our proprietary technologies, although to date we have not registered for copyright protection. We have also registered numerous Internet domain names related to our business in order to protect our proprietary interests.

Government Regulation

Our business is subject to various laws and regulations relating to Internet commerce and telemarketing, as well as federal and state laws and regulations relating to real estate and mortgage matters.

Regulation Relating to Internet Commerce. Several jurisdictions have recently proposed or adopted privacy-related laws that restrict or prohibit unsolicited email solicitations, commonly known as “spam,” that impose complex and often burdensome requirements in connection with sending commercial email.

Telemarketing Laws. Both federal and state laws regulate the practice of telemarketing. Most jurisdictions have implemented “do not call” lists. In addition, a number of states require telemarketers to register with the state and post a bond, prohibit automated systems and recorded messages, impose disclosure requirements upon sales calls, and require written sales contracts for certain telemarketing transactions.

State Real Estate Regulation. Real estate licensing laws vary from state to state, but generally require corporations engaged in the real estate brokerage business to obtain a corporate real estate broker’s license. We currently hold corporate real estate broker licenses in the State of Washington and in the majority of other states.

Employees

As of December 31, 2012, we had 278 employees located primarily in or near Seattle, Washington and Denver, Colorado. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We have never experienced employment-related work stoppages and consider our employee relations to be good.

 

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Available Information

Our Internet address is www.marketleader.com. On the “Investors – SEC Filings” section of our website, we provide free access to our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information found on our website is not a part of this or any other report filed with or furnished to the SEC. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC20549, on official business days during the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, or obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following factors that may affect our business, future operating results and financial condition, as well as other information included in this Annual Report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Our operating results are subject to fluctuations that may cause our stock price to decline.

We have reported net losses for the past five years. Our operating results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to continue to do so in the future. Our revenues are unpredictable and may fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to changes in rates of customer acquisition and retention, the rate of adoption of our software-as-a-service based products, the success of our efforts to upsell customers from promotional offers to higher revenue services, the cyclical nature of the real estate industry, and other factors outside of our control. In addition, our expenses and revenues may fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to, among other factors, the timing of sales and marketing campaigns.

We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our past operating results may not be good indicators of our future performance and should not be relied on to predict the future performance of our stock price.

It is possible that in the future our operating results will not meet the expectations of investors, causing the market price of our common stock to decline. In the past, companies that have experienced decreases in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. A securities class action lawsuit against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns.

Our operating results have been and may continue to be adversely affected by the cyclical nature of the real estate industry.

Our business is dependent on the health of the residential real estate industry. The residential real estate market historically has been subject to economic cycles. An economic slowdown or recession, adverse tax policies, lower availability of credit, increased interest rates, or other factors that impact consumer confidence could decrease demand for residential real estate. Trends in the real estate industry are unpredictable; therefore, our operating results, to the extent they reflect changes in the broader real estate industry, may continue to be subject to significant fluctuations.

We may be unable to compete successfully with our current or future competitors.

We operate in a highly competitive environment and expect that competition will continue to be intense. The barriers to entry in our industry are low, making it possible for current or new competitors to adopt certain

 

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aspects of our business model without great financial expense, thereby reducing our ability to differentiate our services. All of our services, including online lead-generation, online prospect management, online real estate portal content and advertising, and customer coaching and training, are provided in part or in combination by other companies. One or more of these companies, or a new market entrant, could adopt a business model that competes directly with us, which could have an adverse impact on our business and operating results. See Item 1 — “Business — Competition” for a discussion of our competitors.

Many of our existing and potential competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, greater technological capabilities or greater financial, sales, marketing and human resources than we do. These competitors could do any of the following, which could adversely impact our business and operating results:

 

   

develop services that are as effective as or superior to our services or that achieve greater market acceptance than do our services;

 

   

devote greater resources to marketing or selling their services;

 

   

withstand price competition more successfully than we can;

 

   

make more attractive offers to existing and potential employees or independent contractors than we do;

 

   

more effectively negotiate third-party arrangements; and

 

   

take advantage of investments, acquisitions or other opportunities more readily than we can.

Any efforts to expand into new lines of business and offer new products may not be successful, or may take longer than expected to complete.

New initiatives we may pursue may not be successful or the anticipated benefits may take longer to realize than expected. Also, we may have little or no experience in these areas which may result in errors in the conception, structure or implementation of a strategy to take advantage of available opportunities. We cannot assure you that any new products or other expansion efforts will be successful.

Our business model is evolving and our future operating results are unpredictable.

Our business model is constantly evolving, and new products and services we introduce may not be successful or may not be as profitable. For example, our software-as-a-service based products allow customers to adjust their marketplace expenditures, and our revenue may become more variable. Additionally, because the margin on advertising revenue is less than that of software subscriptions, overall margins may be more variable and lower depending upon the mix of advertising revenue.

We may have to increase our expenses as we seek to expand our business and diversify our product mix. We cannot assure you that our strategies to continue growing our revenue will be successful or that we will return to profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.

Any failure to increase the number of our customers would harm our business.

Growth of our business depends in large part on increasing the number of our real estate professional customers. However, prospective customers may not be familiar with our services and use competitive offerings. To attract more customers, we must convince real estate professionals to spend a portion of their advertising and marketing budgets on our services. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in continuing to acquire customers or that we will be able to acquire them at the same rate that we have historically. If we reach the point at which we have attempted to sell our services to the majority of residential real estate professionals, our ability to further increase the number of customers could be limited. We may not know or be able to estimate when we have reached this point because we currently cannot reliably estimate the total number of residential real estate professionals that are actively engaged in the industry during any particular period.

 

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Any failure to retain customers could harm our business.

Our ability to retain our real estate professional customers will depend on our ability to generate website traffic and leads from prospective home buyers and sellers in quantities demanded by our customers, to enhance our existing services, develop new technologies that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of our customers, and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices in a timely manner and on a cost effective basis. If we do not deliver the website traffic or quantity and quality of leads expected by our customers, maintain adequate technical support levels, or continue to improve the ease of use, functionality and features of our prospect management systems, customer coaching and training offerings, or if customers are dissatisfied with the quality of the leads that we provide, our customers may choose not to extend their contracts for our services or may choose to terminate their contracts.

Real estate professionals remain customers typically only for a limited period of time, and we have limited ability to predict how long they will remain customers.

Some customers sign month-to-month agreements and the majority of our other customer agreements have automatic one-month extensions at the end of their initial term. Additionally, customers associated with our enterprise customers are able to discontinue their premium services and use the base level product provided by their franchisor for which we would no longer be paid incremental revenue. Some customers have decided not to extend their contracts or have converted for our premium to our base product due to their inability to convert the leads we have provided into closed transactions, due to their dissatisfaction with our services, or their inability to pay for our services.

We cannot accurately predict how long real estate professionals will remain customers.

Acquisitions we may undertake may be unsuccessful and may divert our management’s attention and consume significant resources.

We may selectively acquire other businesses, product lines or technologies. The successful execution of an acquisition strategy will depend on our ability to identify, negotiate, complete and integrate suitable acquisitions and, if necessary, to obtain satisfactory debt or equity financing. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including:

 

   

difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, and products of the acquired companies;

 

   

diversion of management’s attention from normal daily operations of the business;

 

   

inability to maintain the key business relationships and the reputations of acquired businesses;

 

   

entry into markets in which we have limited or no prior experience and in which competitors have stronger market positions;

 

   

dependence on unfamiliar affiliates and partners;

 

   

insufficient revenues to offset increased expenses associated with acquisitions;

 

   

reduction or replacement of the sales of existing services by sales of products or services from acquired lines of business;

 

   

responsibility for the liabilities of acquired businesses;

 

   

inability to maintain our internal standards, controls, procedures and policies; and

 

   

potential loss of key employees of the acquired companies.

Acquisitions may not be successful, and if we are unable to effectively manage the risks described above or other risks we encounter, our business, operating results or financial condition may be negatively affected.

Mergers and acquisitions are inherently risky, and we cannot assure you that any acquisitions we make will be successful. Failure to manage and successfully integrate acquired businesses could harm our business.

 

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We may be required to take an impairment charge for goodwill or other long-lived assets, which could adversely impact our results of operations.

We have acquired certain portions of our business through acquisitions and may continue to pursue acquisitions of other companies as part of our long-term business strategy. In connection with prior acquisitions, we have accounted for the portion of the purchase price paid in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired as goodwill and may be required to do so for future acquisitions. Additionally, we have invested in other long-lived assets designed to enhance our product offerings or assist in achieving our business plan for our company.

Under the applicable accounting rules, goodwill is not amortized and is carried on our books at its original value, subject to periodic review and evaluation for impairment, whereas intangible and fixed assets are amortized or depreciated over the life of the asset. If, as a result of our periodic review and evaluation of our other long-lived assets for potential impairment, we determine that changes in the business itself, the economic environment including business valuation levels and trends, or the legislative or regulatory environment have adversely affected either the fair value of the business or the fair value of our assets, we may be required to take impairment charges. If market and economic conditions deteriorate, this could increase the likelihood that we will need to record impairment charges.

We rely heavily on advertising to generate leads for customers.

We rely heavily on advertising to attract consumers to our websites and to generate traffic and leads. We advertise primarily through online media and television commercials.

Business Risks Associated with Online Advertising. We rely on online media to attract a significant percentage of the consumers visiting our websites. Prices for online advertising may increase as a result of increased demand for advertising inventory, which would cause our expenses to increase and would result in lower margins. Our advertising contracts with online search engines are typically short-term. If one or more search engines on which we rely for advertising modifies or terminates its relationship with us, our expenses could further increase, the number of leads we generate could decrease and our revenues or margins could decline.

Business Risks Associated with Television Advertising. Television advertising rates depend on a number of factors, including the strength of the national economy and regional economies and the strength of certain industries that advertise frequently. Advertising rates are also subject to cyclical and seasonal fluctuations. If we rely more heavily on television advertising and those prices increase significantly or if the effectiveness of this advertising is less than we expect, in the absence of more efficient ways to generate leads, our marketing expenses will also increase, which would harm our results of operations.

As we are required to drive additional traffic for our growing customer base or if the number of leads that we are required to deliver increases, we may be required to increase the levels of advertising to meet those requirements. Increasing our advertising expenditures may not result in increases in traffic or leads. If the effectiveness of our advertising declines, our business will suffer.

We may in the future be subject to intellectual property rights claims.

Other companies, including our current or potential competitors, could make claims against us alleging infringement of their intellectual property rights. We have been subject to and expect to continue to be subject to, claims regarding alleged infringement by us of the patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights of third parties. Any intellectual property claims, regardless of merit, could be time-consuming and expensive to litigate or settle, and could significantly divert management’s attention from other business concerns. We may need to obtain licenses from third parties who allege that we have infringed their rights, but such licenses may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.

 

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Our technologies and content may not be able to withstand third-party claims or rights against their use. If we were unable to successfully defend against such claims, we may have to pay damages, stop using the technology or content found to be in violation of a third party’s rights, seek a license for the infringing technology or content, or develop alternative non-infringing technology or content. If we are required to obtain a license for the infringing technology or content, it may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all. In addition, developing alternative non-infringing technology or content could require significant effort and expense. If we cannot license or develop technology or content for any infringing aspects of our business, we may be forced to limit our service offerings. Any of these results could reduce our ability to compete effectively and harm our business.

Our trademarks are important to our business. Other companies may own, obtain or claim trademarks that could prevent, limit or interfere with our use of trademarks. If we were unable to use these trademarks, our business would be harmed and we would need to devote substantial resources toward developing different brand identities.

Prospective home buyers and sellers may be reluctant to sign up for our services due to general privacy concerns.

Concern among consumers regarding our use of personal information collected on our websites, such as email addresses, home addresses and geographic preferences, could keep them from using our websites and thereby reduce the number of leads we generate. Industry-wide events or events with respect to our websites, including misappropriation of third-party information, security breaches, or changes in industry standards, regulations or laws could deter people from using the Internet or our websites to conduct transactions that involve the transmission of confidential information, which could harm our business.

We rely on the collection, use and disclosure of personally identifiable information from prospective home buyers and sellers and from customers to conduct our business. We disclose our information collection and dissemination practices in a published privacy statement on our websites, which we may modify from time to time to meet operational needs or changes in the law or industry best practices. We may be subject to legal claims, government action and damage to our reputation if we act or are perceived to be acting inconsistently with the terms of our privacy statement, customer expectations or the law. In addition, concern among real estate professionals or potential home buyers or sellers about our privacy practices could keep them from using our services and require us to alter our business practices or incur significant expenses to educate them about how we use this information. Further, changes in laws and regulations applicable to the privacy of personal information or in the interpretation or enforcement of such laws or regulations, could require us to modify our practices regarding use, collection, protection and disclosure of such information. Any required modifications could result in significant expenses to us.

The value of our services could be diminished if anti-spam software filters out emails we send.

Our prospect management system includes a feature that automatically sends out personalized email messages to prospective home buyers and sellers on behalf of real estate professionals who are our customers. In addition, we send a large amount of email to real estate professionals as part of our customer acquisition strategy, some of which is unsolicited. In the past, anti-spam software used by Internet service providers and personal computer users has filtered out these email messages as unsolicited email, or “spam.” If this problem persists or becomes more pervasive, the value of our prospect management system to customers, and our ability to attract new customers, could be reduced, both of which would harm our business. In addition, it is possible that we may not currently or in the future fully comply with anti-spam legislation, and any failure to comply with such laws could result in penalties or damage our reputation.

 

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We rely on information from real estate multiple listing services provided by third parties that we do not control.

The websites we provide to our software-as-a-service based customers combine aerial maps and for sale home listings, including listings in most of the major metropolitan markets in the United States. In addition, in selected markets, including most of the major metropolitan markets in the United States, we provide customers with functionality that allows them to automatically email their prospective clients information about newly available homes that meet the prospective clients’ criteria. The for sale home listings information provided by our websites and the automated email functionality are supplied only in markets in which we, our broker customers, or the broker affiliated with our agent customers have a relationship with the local multiple listing service (MLS). Our agreements with MLSs to display property listings have short terms, or can be terminated by the MLSs, or, in some cases, the broker, with little notice. The success of our products depends in part on our continued ability to provide customers with MLS listings and data, as well as our ability to expand listings in markets in which it is not currently available. Our inability to supply this information will harm our business and operating results.

If we fail to comply with the various laws and regulations that govern the real estate industry, our business may be harmed.

Our business is governed by various federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the real estate industry, including the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), the Fair Housing Act, state and local real estate broker licensing laws, federal and state laws prohibiting unfair and deceptive acts and practices, and federal and state advertising laws. We may not have always been and may not always be in compliance with each of these requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in, among other things, revocation of required licenses, indemnification liability to contract counterparties, class action lawsuits, administrative enforcement actions and civil and criminal liability.

Due to the geographic scope of our operations and the nature of the services we provide, we may be required to obtain and maintain real estate brokerage licenses in certain states in which we operate. In connection with such licenses, we are required to designate individual licensed brokers of record. We cannot assure you that we are, and will remain at all times, in full compliance with state real estate licensing laws and regulations and we may be subject to fines or penalties in the event of any non-compliance. If in the future a state agency were to determine that we are required to obtain a real estate brokerage license in that state in order to receive payments or commissions from real estate professionals, or if we lose the services of a designated broker, we may be subject to fines or legal penalties or our business operations in that state may be suspended until we obtain the license or replace the designated broker. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may limit our ability to expand into new markets, offer new products or continue to operate in one or more of our current markets.

We may be limited in the way in which we market our business or generate revenue by federal law prohibiting referral fees in real estate transactions.

RESPA generally prohibits the payment or receipt of fees or any other thing of value for the referral of business related to a residential real estate settlement service, including real estate brokerage services. RESPA also prohibits fee shares or splits or unearned fees in connection with the provision of residential real estate settlement services. However, RESPA expressly permits payments pursuant to cooperative brokerage and referral arrangements or agreements between real estate agents and brokers. In addition, RESPA permits payments for goods or facilities furnished or for services actually performed, so long as those payments bear a reasonable relationship to the market value of the goods or facilities furnished or the services performed, excluding the value of any referrals that may be provided in connection with such goods, facilities or services. Failure to comply with RESPA may result in, among other things, administrative enforcement actions, class action lawsuits, and civil and criminal liability.

 

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There has been limited guidance by the appropriate federal regulator or the courts regarding the applicability of RESPA to online marketing relationships for real estate or mortgage services, including those we provide. Nonetheless, RESPA may restrict our ability to enter into marketing and distribution arrangements with third parties, particularly to the extent that such arrangements may be characterized as involving payments for the referral of residential real estate settlement service business.

We rely on our sales force to sell our services and increase revenue. Failure to attract, motivate and retain qualified sales personnel may harm our business.

We have high productivity standards for our sales personnel, which in the past has resulted in relatively high turnover. This turnover has required us to expend a substantial amount of time and money to replace sales persons, particularly as we expand our business. Competition for qualified sales personnel is intense. Any failure to attract, retain and motivate a sufficient number of qualified sales personnel could impair our ability to generate new customers, which would harm our business.

Our business could be harmed by the actions of third parties over whom we have little or no control.

Prospective home buyers and sellers could make a claim against us for the actions of a real estate agent or broker customer over whom we have little or no control. We do not conduct any due diligence or background checks on new customers or seek information regarding their credentials. We may be liable for content provided by customers that is posted on or disseminated through our websites. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover us for these liabilities, and, to the extent not covered by insurance, these liabilities could reduce our margins and harm our business.

Our brand could be harmed if customers do not provide quality service to prospective home buyers and sellers.

We rely on real estate professionals who are our customers of our marketing services products to promote our brand by providing high-quality service to prospective home buyers and sellers. We have little control over the activities of customers. If customers do not provide prospective home buyers and sellers with high-quality service, or if they use the functionality of our systems to send unwanted email to prospective home buyers or sellers, our brand value and our ability to generate leads may diminish.

Our operating results may be subject to seasonality and may vary significantly among quarters during a calendar year.

We are subject to seasonal fluctuations in advertising rates and marketing services. Changing consumer behavior at various times throughout the year affects our advertising expenses. Television advertising is generally more expensive in the fourth calendar quarter in connection with the holiday season.

While individual markets vary, real estate transaction activity tends to progressively increase from January through the summer months, and then gradually slows over the last quarter of the calendar year. The real estate industry generally experiences decreased activity toward the end of the year, which may result in slower lead-generation and lower growth rates.

Throughout the history of our company, our quarterly revenue changes have masked seasonality effects. As a result, investors may be unable to predict our annual operating results based on a quarter-to-quarter comparison of our operating results.

Third parties may copy or otherwise obtain and use our proprietary information without authorization or develop similar technology independently.

We currently rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and confidentiality procedures to establish and protect our proprietary rights. If we fail to successfully enforce our intellectual

 

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property rights, the value of our services could be diminished and our business may suffer. Our success depends in large part on our proprietary technology and on our continuing use of our trademarks. We hold thirty-six registered trademarks registered in the United States and five trademarks registered in Canada. We have sought registration for a number of additional trademarks. We have not sought registration for any copyrights. We have four patents registered and have one patent pending application in the United States. Accordingly, our intellectual property position is more vulnerable than it otherwise would be if it were protected by issued patents, copyrights or additional registered trademarks. We may not receive approval of our various trademark applications, and any trademarks we may be granted may be successfully challenged by others or invalidated. If our trademark applications are not approved or if our trademarks are invalidated, our use of them could be restricted unless we enter into arrangements with these third parties, which might not be possible on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

We regard substantial elements of our websites, software tools and applications and underlying technology as proprietary. Despite our precautionary measures, third parties may copy or otherwise obtain and use our proprietary information without authorization or may develop similar technology independently. We may not be able to detect such infringements or may lose any competitive advantage in the market before we do so. In addition, competitors may design around our technology or develop competing technologies substantially similar to ours. Unauthorized parties may attempt to disclose, obtain or use our technology. Our precautions may not prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property, particularly in foreign countries where laws or law enforcement practices may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. Any legal action that we may bring to protect our proprietary information could be unsuccessful and expensive and could divert management’s attention from other business concerns. Legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of proprietary rights in Internet-related businesses are uncertain and evolving, and we cannot assure you of the future viability or value of any of our proprietary rights.

Increased government regulation of the Internet and claims under state consumer protection laws could force us to change the manner in which we conduct our business or result in monetary fines or increased costs.

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 relating to communications or commerce over the Internet have become more prevalent. In addition, the interpretation and application of 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. New laws and regulations, and changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations relating to the Internet, could lead to situations in which we are considered to “operate” or “do business” in states where customers conduct their business, resulting in potential claims or regulatory action. If we are required to comply with new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations, or if we are unable to comply with these laws or regulations, our business could be harmed. Our practices may not have always been and may not always be in compliance with the requirements of Internet-related laws or regulations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in administrative enforcement actions, class action lawsuits, and civil and criminal liability.

We may be subject to claims under state consumer protection statutes if our customers are dissatisfied with the quality of our leads, customer service, training programs or contract cancellation policies. These claims could result in monetary fines or require us to change the manner in which we conduct our business, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Any of these types of claims, regardless of merit, could be time-consuming, could harm our reputation and could be expensive to litigate or settle.

 

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Changes in government regulation of advertising and customer solicitation could affect our business.

We rely on various marketing channels, such as email and other means of electronic and telephonic communication, to reach real estate professionals, prospective home buyers and sellers and other consumers. The laws governing marketing and advertising continue to evolve and we may be subject to restrictions that limit our ability to continue to operate or expand our business, which could result in legal claims or government action. For example, a federal statute places restrictions on unsolicited commercial email, commonly known as “spam,” and imposes obligations upon senders of commercial email. Additionally, state laws governing falsity or deception with regard to email apply in addition to the federal statute. These federal and state laws impose significant civil and criminal penalties for violations. As the interpretation and enforcement of these laws evolve, they may impose burdens on our email marketing practices and affect features of our Customer Relationship Management systems and other services we offer or may offer. In addition, federal and state statutes prohibiting false or deceptive acts in commerce apply to Internet advertising, and some states have passed legislation regulating Internet advertising. The requirements of some of these laws, and their interpretation and enforcement by governmental authorities, are not clear and uniform. These laws may adversely affect our ability to market our services to real estate industry participants in a cost-effective manner and the violation of these laws may result in enforcement actions and penalties or damage our reputation.

Our sales activities are or may in the future be subject to laws regulating telemarketing, which could subject us to penalties or limit our ability to market our services.

Both federal and state laws regulate the practice of telemarketing and placing other commercial telephone calls. All 50 states have enacted some form of telemarketing law, and federal statutes and regulations place restrictions on live, recorded and text telemarketing calls. In particular, the federal government and a significant number of states have implemented “do not call” lists. In addition, a number of states require telemarketers to register with the state and post a bond, regulate or prohibit automated systems and recorded messages, impose disclosure requirements upon sales calls and require written sales contracts for certain telemarketing transactions. We are subject to certain of these laws, and our failure to register in a jurisdiction where we are required to do so could subject us to penalties, limit our ability to market our services and hamper our ability to enforce contracts in these jurisdictions. Other violations of these laws may damage our reputation and may result in administrative enforcement, fines and civil or criminal penalties.

Any failure of our technology to perform satisfactorily could result in lost revenue, damage to our reputation and expenditure of significant resources.

Our technology is relatively new and complex and may in the future be subject to errors, defects or performance problems. In addition, we may encounter problems when we update our technology to expand and enhance its capabilities. Our technology may malfunction or suffer from defects that become apparent only after further use. Furthermore, our services could be rendered unreliable or be perceived as unreliable by customers or prospective home buyers and sellers. In such instances, we would need to expend significant resources to address these problems, and may nonetheless be unable to adequately remedy these problems. These problems could result in lost revenue and damage to our reputation.

Sustained or repeated system failures could significantly impair our operations and lead to customer dissatisfaction.

The continuous and uninterrupted performance of our systems is critical to our success. Our operations depend on our ability to protect these systems against damage from fire, power loss, water, earthquakes, telecommunications failures, viruses, vandalism and other malicious acts and similar unexpected adverse events. Customers and prospective home buyers and sellers may become dissatisfied by any system failure that interrupts our ability to provide our services to them.

 

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Our services substantially depend on systems provided by third parties, over whom we have little control. Interruptions in our services could result from the failure of telecommunications providers and other third parties to provide the necessary data communications capacity in the time frame required. Our operations depend on our ability to maintain and protect our computer systems, located at our headquarters in Kirkland, Washington and at co-location facilities operated by third parties. We depend on these third-party providers of Internet communication services to provide continuous and uninterrupted service. We also depend on Internet service providers that provide access to our services. Any disruption in the Internet access provided by third-party providers or any failure of third-party providers to handle higher volumes of user traffic could harm our business.

Our customers, our reputation and our products may be harmed by security breaches.

Unauthorized computer programmers, or hackers, may attempt to penetrate our network security from time to time. A hacker who penetrates our network security could misappropriate personal information about our customers, proprietary information or cause interruptions in our services. We might be required to expend significant capital and resources to protect against, or to alleviate, problems caused by hackers. We also may not have a timely remedy against a hacker who is able to penetrate our network security. In addition to purposeful security breaches, the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could adversely affect our systems and harm our business.

Several payment card brands and an independent standards body have adopted security standards, compliance with which is required of all merchants and service providers that process, transmit or store certain types of personal information pertaining to credit card holders. If we fail to comply with these standards, we could be subject to fines and our ability to accept some or all credit cards could be restricted or suspended. Any such suspension or restriction would significantly affect our ability to collect fees from our customers, many of whom pay with a credit card. This would result in harm to our business.

Additionally, the majority of states and various federal regulatory bodies now require companies that maintain personal information about consumers to notify those consumers in the event of a breach of security in which certain types of personal information relating to those consumers is, or is suspected to have been, obtained by an unauthorized person. These laws vary in their scope and requirements, and some of them also require notice to governmental agencies and other third parties. In addition, other public disclosure laws may require that material security breaches be reported. If we are required to disclose a security breach to consumers or other third parties, our business and reputation could be harmed.

We may invest our cash in securities that become illiquid or that significantly decrease in value.

We may invest our cash in securities that are affected by adverse market conditions. As a result, our investments may decline in value, or we may not be able to access our cash equivalents or short-term investments when needed for strategic investment purposes or for operations and capital expenditures. Loss of cash value and inability to access funds would harm our business.

If we do not have access to additional funds on acceptable terms, we may be unable to continue to expand our business or service offerings.

To pursue our current and future business plans, we may choose to seek additional funding through public or private financings, including equity financings, and through other arrangements. Poor financial results, unanticipated expenses or unanticipated opportunities that require financial commitments could give rise to additional financing requirements sooner than we expect. However, financing may be unavailable when we need it or may not be available on acceptable terms. As a result, we may be unable to obtain financing and may be required to delay, scale back or eliminate expenditures for future strategic initiatives, operations or capital expenditures. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our existing shareholders would be reduced and these securities might have rights superior to those of our common stock.

 

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ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2: PROPERTIES

We lease approximately 35,000 square feet of commercial office space in the greater Seattle, Washington area and approximately 4,200 square feet in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The Seattle leases expire in 2013 and the Greenwood Village lease expires in 2016. The Greenwood Village lease is effective January 1, 2013 and includes an option to extend the lease term for three years.

ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising from the ordinary course of our business, including actions relating to employment issues. We believe that there are no claims or actions pending or threatened against us, the ultimate disposition of which would have a material adverse effect on us.

ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

 

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PART II

ITEM 5: MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information for Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “LEDR.” The following table shows the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported by The Nasdaq Global Select Market for the periods indicated.

 

Year

   High      Low  

Fiscal 2011 (ended December 31, 2011)

     

First Quarter

   $ 3.00       $ 1.75   

Second Quarter

     2.55         1.89   

Third Quarter

     2.40         1.90   

Fourth Quarter

     3.02         1.94   

Fiscal 2012 (ended December 31, 2012)

     

First Quarter

   $ 3.99       $ 2.40   

Second Quarter

     5.08         3.51   

Third Quarter

     7.16         4.35   

Fourth Quarter

     7.09         5.43   

Stock Price Performance Graph

The following graph shows the total shareholder return from an investment of $100 in cash on December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2012 for (i) our common stock, (ii) the Nasdaq Composite Index, and (iii) the Russell 2000 Index. All values assume reinvestment of the full amount of all dividends. Please note that historic stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance

 

LOGO

 

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Holders

At March 8, 2013 there were approximately 14 holders of record of our common stock. This does not include the number of persons whose stock is in nominee or “street name” accounts through brokers.

Dividends

We have not paid cash dividends since 2003 when we were a private company. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future.

Stock Repurchases by Market Leader

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during 2012. See Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Purchase and Retirement of Common Stock” for information on our stock repurchase program.

Use of Proceeds

On December 9, 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) declared effective our registration statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-118740) in connection with our initial public offering of common stock, which resulted in net proceeds to the company of $56.1 million. Through December 31, 2012, we have used all the net proceeds from our initial public offering to purchase property and equipment, intangible assets, and to complete acquisitions, including related earn-out payments.

ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.

ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the inherent risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the introductory paragraph to Item 1 — “Business” and in Item 1A — “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report and, except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any such statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Overview

Market Leader, founded in 1999, provides innovative online technology and marketing solutions for real estate professionals across the United States and Canada. We serve 125,000 real estate agents, brokerages and franchisors, offering complete end-to-end solutions that enable them to grow and manage their businesses. Our subscription-based real estate marketing software and services help customers generate a steady stream of prospects, plus provide the systems and training they need to convert those prospects into clients. In addition, our consumer real estate sites, including www.realestate.com, give our customers access to millions of future home buyers and sellers, while providing consumers with free access to the information they seek.

 

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Current Year Overview

We achieved our second consecutive year of more than 30% revenue growth in 2012, driven by demand for our software-as-a-service products as well as the continued ability to leverage our relationships with 125,000 customers to drive additional sales of premium services.

Our continued revenue growth and ongoing management of our cost structure resulted in a $9 million improvement in Adjusted EBITDA profitability and a $6.5 million decrease in net loss for the year, and continued demonstration of leverage in our operating model. This financial progress was achieved despite higher operating expenses associated with revenue growth as well as costs associated with the businesses we acquired in 2011.

Our primary goal is to continue to drive revenue growth, and we believe that to do so requires continued investment in cost-effective customer acquisition. We sell directly to individual real estate brokerage offices and their agents, which has long been a core competency for us. Starting in 2011, we have also implemented an effective strategy to build and maintain sales and marketing channel relationships with major franchise networks and large brokerage companies to sell from the top down. These strategic relationships enable us to tap into the influence, credibility, and existing sales and marketing infrastructure of these franchise networks to let us cost-effectively acquire high-value, premium customers.

Under these strategic enterprise agreements, we typically provide a base level version of our software-as-a-service products to agents and brokers enterprise-wide in exchange for specified contractual revenue over a number of years. These enterprise customers have a business incentive to partner with us and drive broad platform adoption of our software-as-a-service solutions, because it helps foster success and performance improvements within their agent base. Our strategy is to leverage the resulting broad access to sell recurring subscriptions to our premium services, including both software upgrades and marketing services. This strategy has contributed to our strong revenue growth.

During 2012, we signed two more agreements with national real estate franchisors in CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. We expect these relationships will extend our access to an even greater number of high-value customers.

In addition to the franchise-driven growth, our ActiveRain community, a real estate social networking platform, has continued to expand its membership of now 330,000 professionals. Combined with our customer base of 125,000 real estate professionals, this network gives us access to one out of every three real estate professionals in North America. This broad access offers a unique competitive advantage and one that we expect will serve as a low cost distribution channel for our premium services both within and beyond our franchise partners.

We believe our success in the enterprise space and our increasing access to real estate professionals is the result of providing an industry leading software solution that enhances our customers’ productivity. During 2012, we continued to enhance our software solution by integrating it with our email and print marketing suite that includes over 4,000 online and offline marketing campaigns. The integration of this application with our software-as-a-service platform adds new value for existing customers while further enhancing their productivity. In addition during 2012, we released a number of important enhancements to RealEstate.com and Housevalues.com and have integrated both with our software-as-a-service platform, providing our customers with the opportunity to leverage consumer engagement through these national real estate websites to drive new business and differentiate themselves in their local markets.

 

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Results of Operations

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

Revenues

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      Change      Percent
Change
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Revenues

   $ 44,988       $ 34,025       $ 10,963         32
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2012 revenues increased 32% from last year, driven by demand for our software solution as demonstrated by our growing customer base as well as our new integrated marketplace offerings including realestate.com. In addition, SharperAgent, which we acquired on August 1, 2011, contributed revenue of $3.7 million in 2012 compared to $1.2 million in 2011.

We expect revenue to grow about 30% in 2013, with growth accelerating through the year, driven by demand for our products at both the professional and enterprise level, an improving real estate market, increased investment in customer acquisition, and upsells of our premium services to our broad customer base.

Sales and Marketing

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      Change      Percent
Change
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Sales and marketing expense

   $ 28,989       $ 27,757       $ 1,232         4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sales and marketing expense increased in 2012 but has improved significantly as a percentage of revenue in 2012 as costs have remained relatively steady while revenue increased. We have continued to increase our customer acquisition costs to capitalize on improving market conditions. The customer acquisition cost increase was offset by a decline in our customer support costs due to continued operational improvements. In 2012, sales and marketing expense also increased due to an increase in stock compensation expense.

In 2013, we expect to increase our investment in customer acquisition activities to drive continued revenue growth. We began to invest in additional sales capacity late in 2012 and expect to continue to expand the sales team as well as our marketing programs in 2013. Customer support costs are also expected to increase as we grow our customer base. As a result of these factors, we expect our sales and marketing expenses to increase but to remain fairly consistent as a percentage of revenue for 2013.

Technology and Product Development

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      Change      Percent
Change
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Technology and product development expense

   $ 9,713       $ 8,209       $ 1,504         18
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Technology and product development expense increased in 2012 as compared to 2011. The increase reflects growth in the business and our customer base, as well as the inclusion of costs for the businesses we acquired last year.

 

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In 2013, we expect to continue to invest in technology and product development to support our existing customers, to deliver products to new enterprise customers and to develop new products to sell into our customer base. We expect our investment in technology and product development to remain fairly consistent as a percentage of revenue for 2013.

Technology expenses will fluctuate depending on the level of effort required to support our growing customer base and to develop new products, net of costs that are subject to capitalization.

General and Administrative

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      Change      Percent
Change
 
     (dollars in thousands)  

General and administrative expense

   $ 7,828       $ 6,840       $ 988         14
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

General and administrative expense increased in 2012 as compared to 2011 due primarily to the inclusion of costs for the businesses we acquired last year as well as an increase in stock compensation expense.

In 2013, we expect general and administrative expenses to increase slightly but to decline as a percentage of revenue.

Depreciation and Amortization of Property and Equipment

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment increased in 2012 as compared to 2011 due to our ongoing additions to capitalized software development and the inclusion of depreciation from property and equipment acquired through business combinations in the prior year.

In 2013, we expect depreciation and amortization of property and equipment to increase as we continue to deliver products to new enterprise customers and to develop new products to sell into our customer base. We also expect an increase in this expense later in 2013, after we invest in upgrading existing and new office space and furnishings associated with lease expirations.

Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets

Amortization of intangible assets increased in 2012 compared to 2011 due to the intangible assets acquired through business combinations in 2011.

In 2013, we expect amortization expense to decrease slightly due to intangible assets from prior year acquisitions becoming fully amortized.

Contract Termination Charge

We terminated a licensing agreement for marketing design software effective December 31, 2011. As a result, we were released from future minimum contractual liabilities totaling $2.6 million, as well as any and all future revenue sharing payments, in exchange for early termination fees totaling $1.45 million.

Interest Income and expense, net

Interest income remains immaterial as liquidity and security of principal continue to be core to our investment strategy, which results in low rates of return.

 

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Income Taxes

The majority of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to reverse over the next five years, except for prior years’ net operating losses and the deferred tax liability related to goodwill deductions on the goodwill acquired in 2011. We believe that based on our continued operating losses, it is more likely than not that we will be unable to generate sufficient taxable income to realize our deferred tax assets. Accordingly, a full valuation allowance has been recorded against our deferred tax assets.

 

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Table of Contents

Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Operations

The following tables present the unaudited operational data for the eight quarters ended December 31, 2012, as well as Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. The quarterly operational data has been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of our management, reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair representation of the information for the periods presented. This data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this filing. Operating results for any quarter apply to that quarter only and are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

     Dec. 31,
2012
    Sept. 30,
2012
    June 30,
2012
    Mar. 31,
2012
    Dec. 31,
2011
    Sept. 30,
2011
    June 30,
2011
    Mar. 31,
2011
 
     (in thousands)  

Operations Data, in thousands:

                

Revenues

   $ 12,037      $ 11,691      $ 11,074      $ 10,186      $ 9,484      $ 8,979      $ 8,320      $ 7,242   

Expenses:

                

Sales and marketing

     7,263        7,699        6,999        7,028        6,638        6,976        6,710        7,433   

Technology and product development

     2,347        2,265        2,762        2,339        2,272        2,207        1,890        1,840   

General and administrative

     2,054        2,064        1,855        1,855        1,757        1,657        1,823        1,603   

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

     735        754        768        644        625        655        646        611   

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

     811        849        836        823        890        374        262        262   

Loss on asset disposition

     —         —         —         —         —         174        —         —    

Contract termination charge

     —         —         —         —         1,450        —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     13,210        13,631        13,220        12,689        13,632        12,043        11,331        11,749   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (1,173     (1,940     (2,146     (2,503     (4,148     (3,064     (3,011     (4,507

Interest income and expense, net

     8        7        8        9        1        15        18        26   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income tax and noncontrolling interest

     (1,165     (1,933     (2,138     (2,494     (4,147     (3,049     (2,993     (4,481

Income tax expense (benefit)

     8        10        8        28        (36     3        3        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (1,173     (1,943     (2,146     (2,522     (4,111     (3,052     (2,996     (4,484

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —         —         —         —         (17     (91     (150     (140
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Market Leader

   $ (1,173   $ (1,943   $ (2,146   $ (2,522   $ (4,094   $ (2,961   $ (2,846   $ (4,344
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share —   basic and diluted

   $ (0.04   $ (0.07   $ (0.08   $ (0.10   $ (0.16   $ (0.12   $ (0.11   $ (0.17
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 913      $ 937      $ 260      $ (403   $ (771   $ (1,524   $ (1,716   $ (3,271
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operations Data as a Percentage of Revenue:

                

Revenues

     100     100     100     100     100     100     100     100

Expenses:

                

Sales and marketing

     60        66        63        69        70        78        80        103   

Technology and product development

     19        19        25        23        24        25        23        25   

General and administrative

     17        18        17        18        19        18        22        22   

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

     6        6        7        6        7        7        8        8   

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

     7        7        7        8        9        4        3        4   

Loss on asset disposition

     —         —         —         —         —         2        —         —    

Contract termination charge

     —         —         —         —         15        —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     110        116        119        124        144        134        136        162   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (10     (16     (19     (24     (44     (34     (36     (62

Interest income and expense, net

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income tax and noncontrolling interest

     (10     (16     (19     (24     (44     (34     (36     (62

Income tax benefit

     —         —         —         —         1        —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (10 %)      (16 %)      (19 %)      (24 %)      (43 %)      (34 %)      (36 %)      (62 %) 

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Market Leader

     (10 %)      (16 %)      (19 %)      (24 %)      (43 %)      (34 %)      (36 %)      (62 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     8     8     2     (4 %)      (8 %)      (17 %)      (21 %)      (45 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure provided as a complement to results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Adjusted EBITDA is not a substitute for measures determined in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA as reported by other companies. Our use of the term “Adjusted EBITDA” refers to a financial measure defined as earnings or loss before net interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, loss on asset disposition, contract termination charge, and stock-based compensation. We believe Adjusted EBITDA to be relevant and useful information to our investors as this measure is an integral part of our internal management reporting and planning process and is the primary measure used by our management to evaluate operating performance. See the table below for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most comparable GAAP measure (unaudited, in thousands).

 

     Dec. 31,
2012
    Sept. 30,
2012
    June 30,
2012
    Mar. 31,
2012
    Dec. 31,
2011
    Sept. 30,
2011
    June 30,
2011
    Mar. 31,
2011
 

Net loss attributable to Market Leader

   $ (1,173   $ (1,943   $ (2,146   $ (2,522   $ (4,094   $ (2,961   $ (2,846   $ (4,344

Less: Interest income, net

     (8     (7     (8     (9     (1     (15     (18     (26

Add:

                

Net loss available to noncontrolling interest

     —         —         —         —         (17     (91     (150     (140

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

     735        754        768        644        625        655        646        611   

Amortization of intangible assets

     811        849        836        823        890        374        262        262   

Loss on asset disposition

     —         —         —         —         —         174        —         —    

Contract termination charge

     —         —         —         —         1,450        —         —         —    

Stock-based compensation

     540        1,274        802        633        412        337        387        363   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     8        10        8        28        (36     3        3        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 913      $ 937      $ 260      $ (403   $ (771   $ (1,524   $ (1,716   $ (3,271
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as well as the cash flow that we generate from our operations. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $22.2 million at December 31, 2012 as compared to $23.1 million at December 31, 2011.

We follow an investment strategy that prioritizes the preservation and security and liquidity of our funds, which results in low rates of return. As of December 31, 2012, we have invested in cash equivalents consisting of money market funds that hold U.S. Treasury securities with short-term weighted average duration. Short-term investments are comprised of U.S. Treasury bills and notes and FDIC-insured certificates of deposit with terms of one year or less.

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to satisfy our currently anticipated cash requirements in 2013. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our revenue trend, the level of our marketing and sales activities, the timing and extent of spending to support product development efforts, our investments in infrastructure and facilities to accommodate our growth, and the timing of introductions of new services and enhancements to existing services.

 

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The following table presents summary cash flow data:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      
     (dollars in thousands)  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 1,680      $ (7,788

Cash used in investing activities

     (44     (195

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     1,571        (746

Operating Activities

Net cash from operating activities consists of our net loss adjusted for certain non-cash items, including depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and the effects of changes in working capital. We generated $1.7 million in cash from operations during 2012, an increase of $9.5 million compared to 2011. The increase was primarily due to improved operating results.

Investing Activities

During 2012, we increased our investments in fixed assets by $1 million to $3.9 million, primarily due to increased software development activity. These capital expenditures were largely offset by net proceeds from our short-term investments. During 2011, we spent $10.7 million for acquisitions and $2.9 million for fixed assets. These investing activities were largely funded by net proceeds from our short-term investments.

Financing Activities

Cash from financing activities during 2012 increased when compared to 2011 primarily due to increased proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options.

Purchase and Retirement of Common Stock

In October 2006, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase and retire up to two million shares of our common stock. We did not make any purchases pursuant to the share repurchase program during 2012 or 2011. At December 31, 2012, 928,043 shares remain available for purchase under the share repurchase program.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The following discussion highlights the policies and estimates we feel are critical.

Business Combinations, Intangible Assets, and Goodwill

Valuation when acquired. We account for our business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that we record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair values on the date of acquisition, as well as the valuation of any contingent consideration. Significant judgment is used to estimate the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, including estimating future cash flows from the acquired business, determining appropriate discount rates, asset lives and other assumptions.

 

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Table of Contents

Ongoing reporting and impairment testing. Our intangible assets, other than goodwill, and other long-lived assets are amortized or depreciated over their estimated useful lives and are tested for recoverability annually or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Our annual testing date is October 1. When evaluating goodwill for impairment, based on our annual test or due to changes in circumstances, we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than the reporting unit’s carrying amount including goodwill. If the fair value is more likely than not less than the carrying value, we calculate an implied estimated fair value of goodwill and compare it to the carrying amount of goodwill for the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied estimated fair value, an impairment charge to current operations is recorded to reduce the carrying value to the implied estimated value. The assessment of impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill requires significant judgment to determine the asset groups and number of reporting units, to estimate future undiscounted cash flows, to use appropriate market value factors, to estimate the related asset lives and other assumptions as noted below. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can materially affect the fair value determination and potential goodwill impairment.

Results of impairment tests. Based on our continued operating losses, we evaluated our long-lived assets for impairment during 2012 and 2011 and determined that our long-lived assets were not impaired.

In addition, we evaluated our goodwill for impairment in 2012 and 2011. Consistent with the outcome of our long-lived asset assessment, we determined our goodwill was not impaired.

Our 2012 impairment analysis for goodwill resulted in a qualitative assessment that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of our single reporting unit was less than the reporting unit’s carrying amount. This qualitative assessment included consideration of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, our financial performance, capital markets pricing, and reporting unit specific events. Our 2011 impairment analysis for goodwill included an estimate of implied estimated fair value and was dependent on many variables. We determined the fair value of our net assets based on a combination of market and income approaches. Key assumptions used in the market approaches included, the appropriate stock price to determine market value, use of control premium and determination of the appropriate control premium, and determination of an appropriate set of comparable companies. Key assumptions in the income approach were based on a discounted cash flow model, which included significant assumptions about our future revenues, expenses, target profitability rates, and determination of an appropriate discount rate.

Our 2012 impairment analysis for our long-lived assets other than goodwill included a single asset grouping, significant improvements in operating results, and assumptions about our future results. Our 2011 impairment analysis included a number of key variables, including estimated future cash flows. We determined the fair value of our long-lived assets based on several key assumptions, including the determination that we have a single asset grouping, references to quoted market prices for similar assets, as well as assumptions about our future revenues, expenses, and target profitability rates.

As of December 31, 2012, we have $1.86 million in goodwill and $13.2 million of long-lived assets. While we continue to depreciate the long-lived assets, at the same time, we continue to capitalize costs related to internally generated software and may acquire other capital assets. Factors that may require future assessments of impairment of our goodwill and long-lived assets include, among others, deterioration of our estimate of future cash flows, stock price, and lower customer revenues than projected.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for operating loss carryforwards in our existing business and related to acquisitions. We must make significant assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine the provision for

 

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Table of Contents

income taxes and the related current and deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as the valuation allowance to be recorded against deferred tax assets. Our judgments, assumptions and estimates must take into account current tax laws, our interpretation of current tax laws and possible outcomes of future tax audits.

Changes in the amount of our operating losses, changes in the tax laws or our interpretation of the tax laws and the resolution of future tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes and the amount of valuation allowances required in our consolidated financial statements.

At December 31, 2012, we have gross deferred tax assets of $23.0 million, before reduction for our valuation allowance. We considered all available evidence to determine whether a valuation allowance was required for those assets, including the following factors: estimates regarding the timing and amount of the reversal of taxable temporary differences, taxable income in prior carryback years as permitted under tax law, and historical taxable income—normalized for non-recurring items, expected future taxable income, and the impact of tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Based on our current projections of future operating losses, we continue to believe that it is more-likely-than-not that we will not be able to realize our deferred tax assets and continue to maintain a valuation allowance for the full amount of our net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012.

We account for uncertainty in income taxes using a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold based on the technical merits of the tax position taken. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of the tax benefits, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon effective settlement. Our accounting policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as tax expense.

Stock-Based Compensation

We recognize stock-based compensation related to option grants using the fair value based method. We use the Black-Scholes pricing model which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including estimating the stock option expected life and stock price volatility. Changes in any of these assumptions could materially impact the estimated fair value of options granted.

The following table illustrates the effect of changing these significant variables on the estimated fair value of our options. The following examples are hypothetical but representative of our option grants and their related fair values at December 31, 2012. In each analysis, the remaining variables are held constant. This illustration is not intended to provide a range of exposure or expected deviation.

Effect of a 10% change in our stock price volatility estimate:

 

     -10%     Current
Volatility
Estimate
    +10%  

Stock option volatility

     41     51     61

Estimated fair value

   $ 1.87      $ 2.29      $ 2.69   

Effect of a 1-year change in expected life of our stock options:

 

     -1 Year      Current
Expected
Life Estimate
     +1 Year  

Estimated option life

     2.5 years         3.5 years         4.5 years   

Estimated fair value

   $ 1.95       $ 2.29       $ 2.57   

 

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Table of Contents

We also recognize stock-based compensation related to stock appreciation right grants using the fair value method. We measure the fair value of stock appreciation rights similar to stock options. Additionally stock appreciation rights are liability-classified awards that must be remeasured at fair value at the end of each reporting period, and cumulative compensation cost adjusted for changes in fair value. This fair value determination and the resulting stock compensation expense can be materially influenced by a move in the price of our common stock.

The following table illustrates the effect of a stock price movement on the stock compensation expense recognized in our financial statements. The following examples are hypothetical but representative of our stock appreciation right grants and their related stock compensation impact at December 31, 2012. In each analysis, the remaining variables are held constant. This illustration is not intended to provide a range of exposure or expected deviation.

Effect of a $1 change in our common stock price:

 

     -$1      Current
Common Stock Price
Used to Determine (1)
     +$1  

Estimated common stock price

   $ 5.52       $ 6.52       $ 7.52   

Estimated stock compensation expense (in thousands)

   $ 3,003       $ 3,249       $ 3,499   

 

(1) Amount reflects the average of the high and the low price of common stock as of December 31, 2012.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. This standard amends the current two-step goodwill impairment test required under the existing accounting guidance. This amendment allows entities the option to first assess certain qualitative factors to ascertain whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount to determine if the two-step impairment test is necessary. If an entity concludes that certain events or circumstances prove that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount then an entity is required to proceed to step one of the two-step goodwill impairment test. This standard was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See Item 15 — “Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules” for the Index to the consolidated financial statements and supplementary data required by this item, which are filed as part of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.

See Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Operations” for selected quarterly financial data, which data is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

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ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, our disclosure controls and procedures, were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and 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.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f), for us. Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of the Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012.

We do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting has been audited by, KPMG, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm as stated in their report, which is included herein at page 32.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2012, which were identified in connection with our management’s evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Market Leader, Inc.:

We have audited Market Leader, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Market Leader, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Market Leader, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Market Leader Inc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations , shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and our report dated March 15, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Seattle, Washington

March 15, 2013

 

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ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION

No information was required to be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2012 that was not reported as required.

PART III

ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information required for this section will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 23, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference. Our Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2012, our fiscal year end.

We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer or Controller, or persons performing similar functions. The code of ethics is available on the “Investor Relations-Corporate Governance” section of our Internet website at www.marketleader.com.

ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information required for this section will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 23, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference. Our Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2012, our fiscal year end.

ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Except for the “Equity Compensation Plan Information” below, the information required for this section will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 23, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference. Our Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2012, our fiscal year end.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth information concerning our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2011:

 

Plan Category

   (a)
Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights(1)
     (b)
Weighted-average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
    (c)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 

Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders

     6,311,034       $ 3.14 (2)      458,865 (3)(4) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders

       

Total

     6,311,034       $ 3.14 (2)      458,865 (3)(4) 

 

(1) We have stock options outstanding under the 1999 Stock Option Plan as well as stock options, restricted stock units, and stock appreciation rights under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. The 1999 Plan was terminated on December 15, 2004 with respect to new grants, and no further options will be granted under the 1999 Plan. In August 2004, our board of directors and shareholders approved the 2004 Plan, which became effective on December 15, 2004.

 

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(2) Includes restricted stock units, which have no exercise price. The weighted-average exercise price excluding the restricted stock units is $3.50.
(3) The 2004 Plan provides for an automatic annual increase in the number of shares on January 1st of each year for the life of the plan starting in 2005, equal to the least of (i) 700,000 shares, (ii) 3% of the outstanding common stock at the end of the immediately preceding year or (iii) a lesser amount as may be determined by our board of directors. Effective January 1, 2013, an additional 700,000 shares have been authorized for issuance under the automatic annual increase provisions of the 2004 Plan.
(4) Under the 2004 Plan, in addition to stock options, restricted stock units, and stock appreciation rights, we may grant restricted stock, performance units, performance shares, and other stock based awards. Stock appreciation rights have been included assuming net settlement given the closing stock price as of the end of the reporting period.

ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information required for this section will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 23, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference. Our Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2012, our fiscal year end.

ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information required for this section will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 23, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference. Our Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2012, our fiscal year end.

 

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PART IV

ITEM 15: EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) The following documents are filed as a part of the report:

(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The following financial statements of the Registrant and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm therein are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     39   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

     40   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     41   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

     42   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     43   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     44   

(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 — page 54.

(b) EXHIBIT INDEX: The following exhibits are filed as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  2.1   

Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Market Leader, Inc., Lending Tree, LLC and Realestate.com, Inc. dated September 15, 2011, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2011 (File No. 000-51032).

  3.1   

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the registrant, as amended to date incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2009 (File No. 000-51032).

  3.2   

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on October 15, 2008 (File No. 000-51032).

10.1*   

HouseValues, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 filed on September 1, 2004 (Registration No. 333-118740).

10.2*   

Market Leader, Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 10, 2009 (File No. 000-51032).

10.3*   

Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Ian Morris, dated May 13, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 filed on September 1, 2004 (Registration No. 333-118740).

10.4*   

Incentive Stock Option Letter Agreement by and between the Registrant and Ian Morris, dated May 13, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Form S-1 filed on September 1, 2004 (Registration No. 333-118740).

10.5*   

Form of Standard Option Agreement under the HouseValues, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2005 (File No. 000-51032).

 

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Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.6*   

Form of Option Agreement under the HouseValues, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan for Options Granted to the Chief Executive Officer, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2005 (File No. 000-51032).

10.7*   

Form of Option Agreement under the HouseValues, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan for Options Granted to the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2005 (File No. 000-51032).

10.8*   

Description of nonqualified stock option program for non-employee directors, incorporated by reference from the description contained in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2006 (File No. 000-51032).

10.9*   

Form of Option Agreement under the HouseValues, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2006 (File No. 000-51032).

10.10*   

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for HouseValues Executives under the HouseValues, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 7, 2007 (File No. 000-51032).

10.11*   

Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Jacqueline L. Davidson, dated February 19, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2008 (File No. 000-51032).

10.12*   

Form of Amendment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Market Leader Executives incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2009 (File No. 000-51032).

10.13   

Commercial Lease between the Registrant and Kirkland 405 Corporate Center, dated October 26, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Form S-1/A filed on November 4, 2004 (Registration No. 333-118740).

10.14   

First Amendment to Lease, dated as of May 26, 2005, by and between Multi-Employer Property Trust and HouseValues, Inc. and Second Amendment to Lease, dated as of October 14, 2005, by and between New Tower Multi-Employer Property Trust and HouseValues, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2009 (File No. 000-51032).

10.15   

Third Amendment to Lease, dated as of March 1, 2009, by and between MEPT Kirkland Office II LLC and Market Leader, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 14, 2009 (File No. 000-51032).

10.16   

Fourth Amendment to Lease, dated as of May 26, 2009, by and between MEPT Kirkland Office II LLC and Market Leader, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2010 (File No. 000-51032).

10.17   

Master Services Agreement dated as of January 6, 2011, and a related Statement of Work dated January 7, 2011, by and between Keller Williams Realty International and Market Leader, Inc, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on May 12, 2011 (File No. 000-51032).

10.18   

Master Services Agreement and related statement of Work dated as of February 17, 2011, by and between Imprev, Inc. and Market Leader Inc, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on May 12, 2011 (File No. 000-51032).

 

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Exhibit No.

  

Description

  10.19*   

Form of Stock Appreciation Right Grant Notice/Agreement under the HouseValues, Inc 2004 Equity Incentive Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2011.

  10.20   

Termination Agreement dated as of December 31, 2011, by and between Market Leader, Inc. and Imprev, Inc, incorporated by reference from the description contained in the Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2012 (File No. 000-51032).

  10.21*   

Summary of Market Leader, Inc. 2012 Management Variable Cash Compensation Plan incorporated by reference from the description contained in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 13, 2012 (File No. 000-51032).

  10.22+   

Fifth Amendment to Lease, dated as of November 9, 2012, by and between MEPT Kirkland Office II LLC and Market Leader, Inc.

  10.23+   

Sixth Amendment to Lease, dated as of February 4, 2013, by and between MEPT Kirkland Office II LLC and Market Leader, Inc.

  10.24*   

Summary of Market Leader, Inc. 2013 Management Variable Cash Compensation Plan incorporated by reference from the description contained in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2012 (File No. 000-51032).

  21.1+   

Subsidiaries of the registrant.

  23.1+   

Consent of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.

  31.1+   

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

  31.2+   

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

  32.1+   

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

  32.2+   

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

101.INS+    XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PRE+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

& Pursuant to Item 601(b) (2) of Regulation S-K, the registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit or schedule to the SEC upon request.
* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
+ Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

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, in the City of Kirkland, State of Washington, on the 15th day of March 2013.

 

MARKET LEADER, INC.
By:   /S/    IAN MORRIS        
    Ian Morris
    Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated below on the 15th day of March, 2013.

 

Signature

  

Title

/S/    FRANK M. (“PETE”) HIGGINS        

Frank M. (“Pete”) Higgins

   Chairman of the Board and Director

/S/    IAN MORRIS        

Ian Morris

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

/S/    JACQUELINE DAVIDSON        

Jacqueline Davidson

  

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)

/S/    JON W. GACEK        

Jon W. Gacek

   Director

/S/    NICOLAS J. HANAUER        

Nicolas J. Hanauer

   Director

/S/    RICHARD A. MENDENHALL        

Richard A. Mendenhall

   Director

/S/    MICHAEL T. GALGON        

Michael T. Galgon

   Director

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Market Leader, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Market Leader, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying accounts. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Market Leader, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Market Leader, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 15, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Seattle, Washington

March 15, 2013

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2012     2011  

Revenues

   $ 44,988      $ 34,025   

Expenses:

    

Sales and marketing (1)

     28,989        27,757   

Technology and product development (1)

     9,713        8,209   

General and administrative (1)

     7,828        6,840   

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment (2)

     2,901        2,537   

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

     3,319        1,788   

Loss on asset disposition

     —         174   

Contract termination charge

     —         1,450   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     52,750        48,755   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (7,762     (14,730

Interest income and expense, net

     32        60   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income tax expense (benefit) and noncontrolling interest

     (7,730     (14,670

Income tax expense (benefit)

     54        (27
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (7,784     (14,643

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     —         (398
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Market Leader

     (7,784     (14,245
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to Market Leader-basic and diluted

   $ (0.30   $ (0.56
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Stock-based compensation is included in the expense line items above in the following amounts:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Sales and marketing

   $ 1,639       $ 680   

Technology and product development

     345         180   

General and administrative

     1,265         639   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,249       $ 1,499   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2) Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is allocated as follows:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Technology and product development

   $ 2,547       $ 2,306   

General and administrative

     354         231   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,901       $ 2,537   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Market Leader, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,165      $ 7,958   

Short-term investments

     11,034        15,141   

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance of $14 and $36, respectively

     854        729   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     999        1,733   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     24,052        25,561   

Property and equipment, net

     5,486        4,507   

Intangible assets, net

     7,672        10,762   

Goodwill

     1,861        1,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

    Total assets

   $ 39,071      $ 42,691   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 978      $ 1,120   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     3,194        2,599   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     1,195        2,224   

Deferred rent, current portion

     177        230   

Deferred revenue

     1,126        1,056   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     6,670        7,229   

Deferred rent, less current portion

     —         249   

Stock appreciation right liability

     1,044        45   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     56        50   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,770        7,573   

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; authorized 30,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011

     —         —    

Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; authorized 120,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 26,634,447 and 25,397,448 shares at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively

     78,040        74,073   

Accumulated deficit

     (46,739     (38,955
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     31,301        35,118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 39,071      $ 42,691   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     Common Stock     Accumulated
Deficit
    Noncontrolling
Interest
In
Subsidiary
    Total
Share-
holders’
Equity and
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
     Shares     Amount        

Balance at December 31, 2010

     24,873,120      $ 71,889      $ (24,710   $ 1,152      $ 48,331   

Stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock

     418,633        20        —         —         20   

Stock-based compensation

     —         1,559        —         —         1,559   

Shares issued for acquisition of kwkly

     222,222        400        —         —         400   

Stock options issued for acquisition of kwkly

     —         198        —         —         198   

Value of equity awards withheld for tax liability and award exercises

     (116,527     (260     —         —         (260

Acquistion of noncontrolling interest in ActiveRain

     —         267        —         (754     (487

Net loss

     —         —         (14,245     (398     (14,643
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

     25,397,448      $ 74,073      $ (38,955   $ —       $ 35,118   

Stock award exercises and vesting of restricted stock

     1,550,176        2,211        —         —         2,211   

Stock-based compensation

     —         2,310        —         —         2,310   

Value of equity awards withheld for tax liability and award exercises

     (313,177     (554     —         —         (554

Net loss

     —         —         (7,784     —         (7,784
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

     26,634,447      $ 78,040      $ (46,739   $ —       $ 31,301   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2012     2011  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (7,784   $ (14,643

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

     2,901        2,537   

Amortization of intangible assets

     3,319        1,788   

Stock-based compensation

     3,249        1,499   

Loss on asset disposition

     —         174   

Changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

    

Trade accounts receivable

     (125     (563

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     681        (106

Accounts payable

     100        (378

Accrued compensation and benefits

     594        720   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (1,023     907   

Deferred rent

     (302     (262

Deferred revenue

     70        539   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     1,680        (7,788
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of short-term investments

     (18,102     (20,329

Maturities of short-term investments

     21,958        33,647   

Purchases of property and equipment

     (3,900     (2,857

Cash paid for acquisition of RealEstate.com

     —         (8,250

Cash paid for acquisition of SharperAgent, net of cash acquired

     —         (1,656

Cash paid for acquisition of kwkly

     —         (750
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (44     (195
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

     2,125        20   

Value of equity awards withheld for tax liability and award exercises

     (554     (260

Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in ActiveRain

     —         (446

Principal payment on note payable

     —         (60
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     1,571        (746
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     3,207        (8,729

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     7,958        16,687   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 11,165      $ 7,958   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands except per share amounts)

Note 1: The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Market Leader, founded in 1999, provides innovative online technology and marketing solutions for real estate professionals across the United States and Canada. The company serves 125,000 real estate agents, brokerages and franchisors, offering complete end-to-end solutions that enable them to grow and manage their businesses. Market Leader’s subscription-based real estate marketing software and services helps customers generate a steady stream of prospects, plus provides the systems and training they need to convert those prospects into clients. In addition, the company’s national consumer real estate sites, including www.realestate.com, give its customers access to millions of future home buyers and sellers, while providing consumers with free access to the information they seek.

Basis of Presentation

Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Market Leader and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Business segments — We operate a single business segment, representing marketing services provided to real estate professionals. Substantially all of our business comes from customers and operations located within the United States, and we do not have any assets located in foreign countries.

Reclassifications — Prior period financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Subsequent Events – We have evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through March 15, 2013, the day the financial statements were issued.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the fair value of acquired intangible assets, the useful lives and potential impairment of intangible assets and property and equipment, the value of common stock options and stock appreciation rights for the purpose of determining stock-based compensation, liabilities and valuation allowances, and certain tax liabilities among others. We base our estimates on historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment that we believe to be appropriate under the circumstances. We adjust our estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Any changes in the estimates we used to prepare these financial statements will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

Revenue Recognition

We generate the majority of our revenues from the services we provide to real estate professionals. We generally charge a one-time set-up fee and a monthly fixed fee for a monthly bundle of services. While some of

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

the components may be sold on a standalone basis, all monthly services are provided in total over the term of the agreement and all are included in the monthly fee. All initial set-up fees are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the estimated customer life or the life of the contract, whichever is longer.

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized on a gross basis because we are the primary obligor for the services we provide to our customers, have latitude in establishing price, and have discretion in supplier selection. Payments received in advance of services being rendered are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period. We provide software-as-a-service based products, where the customer does not have the contractual right to take possession of the software during the subscription period, and therefore software revenue recognition guidance is not applicable.

We recognize revenue for our arrangements with multiple elements by determining whether each element can be separated into a unit of accounting based on the following criteria: (1) the delivered item(s) have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis; and (2) if the arrangement includes a right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) that is probable and within our control. If the criteria are not met, elements included in an arrangement are accounted for as a single unit of accounting. If the criteria for separation are met resulting in two or more units of accounting, we use the relative selling price method to allocate arrangement consideration to the individual units of accounting, subject to a limitation that the amount allocable to the delivered unit or units of accounting is limited to the amount that is not contingent on the delivery of additional items or meeting other specified performance conditions.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising, as well as salaries, commissions and related expenses for our sales, marketing and customer support staff. Other expenses include credit card fees and corporate marketing and communications expenses.

Advertising costs are expensed as they are incurred. Total advertising expense was $6,998 and $10,448 in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Technology and Product Development

Technology and product development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for employees responsible for customer and internal technology services, net of amounts capitalized as software developed for internal use. These costs also include license fees, maintenance costs, internet and phone connectivity and website hosting costs.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for executive, accounting, and human resources employees and consultants. These costs also include audit and legal fees, facilities costs, business insurance premiums, and recruiting fees.

Stock-based Compensation

We recognize the fair value of compensation expense related to equity awards over the requisite service period using the straight-line method, adjusted for expected forfeitures. The fair value of the stock-based awards

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

is determined at the date of grant as well as at the end of each reporting period for certain liability-classified awards, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Our determination of the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant and at the end of each reporting period using this option pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of other variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected life of the award, our expected volatility of our stock price volatility, and the projected option exercise behaviors.

Concentration of Risk

Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained primarily in a money market fund that invests in U.S. Treasury securities. Short-term investments consist of approximately $11 million in U.S. Treasury bills with terms of one year or less.

The primary objective for our investment portfolio is safety of principal and liquidity. Investments are made with the intent of achieving the highest rate of return consistent with this objective. Our investment policy limits investments to certain types of instruments issued by institutions primarily with investment grade credit ratings and places restrictions on maturities and concentration by type and issuer.

As of December 31, 2012, two customers accounted for 91% of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance. As of December 31, 2011, one customer accounted for 79% of the total consolidated accounts receivable balance.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use a fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

   

Level 1 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

   

Level 2 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

 

   

Level 3 — Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had $7,116 and $5,585 in Money Market Funds, which were classified within the fair value hierarchy as Level 1 assets and accounted for at fair value. There have been no significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2.

The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of their short-term maturities.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

Cash equivalents are short-term deposits and investments with a maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase. Investments with stated maturities of greater than three months when purchased are classified as short-term investments. We classify our investments as held-to-maturity because we have the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and discounts to maturity, with the net amortization included in interest income.

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are non-interest bearing. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for potentially uncollectible receivables. We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable based on several factors, including historical trends, aging of accounts, write-off experience and expectations of future performance. Delinquent accounts receivable are written off when they are determined to be uncollectible.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at historical cost less depreciation. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 

     Estimated Useful Life

Computer equipment and software

   3 years

Internally developed software

   3 years

Office equipment and furniture

   3 – 5 years

Leasehold improvements

   Lesser of remaining lease term or asset life

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of an asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows we expect to generate from the asset group over its life. If undiscounted cash flows do not recover the carrying value of the asset group, we recognize impairment charges to the extent that the recorded value of the asset group exceeds its fair value.

Our goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter and when circumstances indicate our goodwill might be impaired.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are recorded at historical cost less amortization. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 

     Estimated Useful Life

Developed technology

   3 years

Domain names

   1-5 years

Customer base

   3 years

Home listings datafeeds

   1 year

Tradename

   5 years

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue primarily represents subscription agreement payments collected in advance and initial set up fees collected at account activation. Prepayments are recognized as revenue in the month service is provided; initial set up fees are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated customer life or the life of the contract, whichever is longer.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax law is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, we may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising from the ordinary course of our business, including actions relating to employment issues. While the results of such litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes that the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated balance sheets or statement of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. This standard amends the current two-step goodwill impairment test required under the existing accounting guidance. This amendment allows entities the option to first assess certain qualitative factors to ascertain whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount to determine if the two-step impairment test is necessary. If an entity concludes that certain events or circumstances prove that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount then an entity is required to proceed to step one of the two-step goodwill impairment test. This standard was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2: Acquisitions

RealEstate.com Acquisition

On September 16, 2011 we acquired the assets of RealEstate.com for $8.25 million in cash. RealEstate.com provides real estate information, tools, and advice to consumers seeking to buy or sell homes. Our acquisition of the RealEstate.com assets allows us to leverage the strong domain name and traffic to extend our marketing solutions.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The transaction was accounted for as a business combination, and accordingly, all of the assets of RealEstate.com were measured at fair value on the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the consideration paid for the identifiable assets acquired and their respective weighted average lives:

 

     Amount      Weighted
Average
Life
 

Trademarks/Domain Names

   $ 7,051         5.0 years   

Developed technology

     1,199         3.0 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,250         4.7 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

These fair values were based on estimates as of the closing date of the acquisition. We used the income approach to value the identified trademarks/domain names. These fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements as defined in ASC 820. Under the income approach, fair value is estimated based upon the present value of cash flows that the applicable asset is expected to generate. The valuation of the developed technology was based on the cost- to- recreate method. These fair value measurements were also based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements as defined in ASC 820

We have included Realestate.com’s results of operations in our consolidated statement of income since September 2011. The Realestate.com assets produced net revenues of $90 in 2011.

SharperAgent Acquisition

On August 1, 2011, we acquired SharperAgent, LLC (“SharperAgent”), for $1.74 million in cash plus assumed liabilities. SharperAgent is a leading provider of online and print marketing suites to the real estate industry with more than 30,000 real estate agent users across North America. Our acquisition of SharperAgent allows us to integrate SharperAgent’s marketing campaign, design, and print capabilities with our premium product offerings as a continued expansion of our business and marketing platform for real estate professionals.

The transaction was accounted for as a business combination, and accordingly, all of the assets and liabilities of SharperAgent were measured at fair value on the acquisition date. The following tables summarize the consideration paid for SharperAgent and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed recognized at the acquisition date.

 

Cash Paid

   $ 1,737   

Less: Total identifiable net assets

     (1,608
  

 

 

 

Total Goodwill

   $ 129   
  

 

 

 

Cash

   $ 81   

Trade Receivables

     136   

Property and Equipment

     277   

Identifiable intangible assets

     1,403   

Other assets

     16   

Trade payables and other liabilities

     (305
  

 

 

 

Total identifiable net assets

   $ 1,608   
  

 

 

 

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The intangible assets acquired and their respective weighted average lives are as follows:

 

     Amount      Weighted
Average
Life
 

Developed technology

   $ 1,078         3.0 years   

Customer base

     325         3.0 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,403         3.0 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

These fair values were based on estimates as of the closing date of the acquisition. We used the income approach to value the identified intangible assets. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements as defined in ASC 820. Under the income approach, fair value is estimated based upon the present value of cash flows that the applicable asset is expected to generate. The valuation of the developed technology was based on the relief-from-royalty method and the existing customer relationships were valued using the discounted cash flow method.

Goodwill of $129 primarily consists of the benefit of acquiring new expertise and enhanced service offerings that we can leverage into both our existing customer base and in acquiring new customers. The goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

We have included SharperAgent’s results of operations in our consolidated statement of income since August 2011. The SharperAgent products produced net revenues of $1,224 and a net loss of $592 in 2011.

KWKLY Acquisition

On January 7, 2011, we acquired substantially all of the assets of KWKLY, LLC (“kwkly”). kwkly is a mobile software-as-a-service lead generation platform that provides home buyers with real-time access to property information on their Web-enabled phones, while at the same time connecting real estate professional customers of kwkly with those home buyers. Our acquisition of kwkly expands the offerings that the Company can make available through its business and marketing platform for real estate professionals.

The transaction was accounted for as a business combination, and accordingly, all of the assets of kwkly were measured at fair value on the acquisition date.

We paid cash consideration of $750, issued 222,222 shares of stock that were valued based on the closing stock price on January 7, 2011 of $1.80, and granted a fully vested non-qualified stock option to purchase 250,000 shares which was valued using a Black-Scholes fair value of $0.7936 per share.

Below is a summary of the total consideration transferred:

 

Cash

   $ 750   

Stock

     400   

Stock options

     198   
  

 

 

 
   $ 1,348   
  

 

 

 

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The recognized amount of identifiable assets acquired:

 

Identifiable intangible assets

   $ 570   

Goodwill

     778   
  

 

 

 
   $ 1,348   
  

 

 

 

The intangible assets acquired and their respective weighted average lives are as follows:

 

     Amount      Weighted
Average
Life
 

Developed technology

   $ 445         3.0 years   

Customer relationships

     50         3.0 years   

Home listings Datafeeds

     75         1.0 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 570         2.7 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

These fair values were based on estimates as of the closing date of the acquisition. We used the income approach to value the customer relationships. These fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements as defined in ASC 820. Under the income approach, fair value is estimated based upon the present value of cash flows that the applicable asset is expected to generate. The valuations of the developed technology and the home listings data feeds were based on the cost to recreate method. These fair value measurements were also based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements as defined in ASC 820.

Goodwill of $778 primarily consists of the benefit of acquiring new expertise and a new product in the mobile space that we can leverage into our existing customer base. The goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

We have included kwkly’s results of operations in our consolidated statement of income since January 2011. The kwkly product produced net revenues of $402 in 2011.

ActiveRain Acquisition

On September 27, 2010 we acquired an additional 18% of the outstanding voting stock of ActiveRain Corporation (“ActiveRain”) for $450. ActiveRain is a provider of professional networking, referral, recruitment, content syndication and online marketing services for the community of professionals in real estate and related businesses. Our affiliation with ActiveRain provides us with access to a sizable and rapidly growing professional community, which we expect will help us increase our effectiveness in acquiring customers.

As a result of this transaction, the Company’s ownership interest in ActiveRain increased to 51%. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination, and accordingly, all of the assets and liabilities of ActiveRain were measured at fair value on the acquisition date.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The intangible assets acquired and their respective weighted average lives are as follows:

 

     Amount      Weighted
Average
Life
 

Developed technology

   $ 544         3.0 years   

Customer base

     263         3.0 years   

Tradename

     971         5.0 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,778         3.4 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

These fair values were based on estimates as of the closing date of the acquisition. We used the income approach to value ActiveRain, the noncontrolling interest, the fair value of the equity interest immediately before the acquisition date, and the identified intangible assets. These fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements as defined in ASC 820. Under the income approach, fair value is estimated based upon the present value of cash flows that the applicable asset is expected to generate. The valuation of the developed technology and the trade name were based on the relief-from-royalty method and the existing customer relationships were valued using the discounted cash flow method.

Goodwill of $954 primarily consists of the benefit from gaining access to a sizable professional community which can increase our effectiveness in acquiring customers. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

During the fourth quarter of 2011 we acquired the remaining outstanding voting stock of ActiveRain Corporation (“ActiveRain”) for $487. As a result of this transaction, the Company’s ownership interest in ActiveRain increased to 100%. The difference between the sellers’ recorded noncontrolling interest balance and the cash paid was recorded in common stock as we had already obtained a controlling interest in ActiveRain as a result of our September 27, 2010 acquisition described above.

For comparability purposes, the following table presents our unaudited pro forma revenue and earnings (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2011 had the RealEstate.com, SharperAgent, and kwkly acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2011:

 

     Year ended
December 31, 2011
(Unaudited)
 

Revenues

   $ 37,028   
  

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Market Leader

   $ (22,786
  

 

 

 

Included in the pro forma net loss above is a $5 million asset impairment loss associated with RealEstate.com.

Note 3: Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share are calculated by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average common shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common stock. Potential common stock includes stock awards to the extent dilutive, calculated using the treasury stock method.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Unvested restricted stock units are considered outstanding common shares and included in the computation of basic earnings (loss) per share as of the date that all necessary conditions of vesting are satisfied. Stock options, restricted stock units, and stock appreciation rights are excluded from the dilutive earnings per share calculation when their impact is antidilutive. Prior to satisfaction of all conditions of vesting, unvested restricted stock units are considered contingently issuable and are excluded from weighted average common shares outstanding.

The basic and diluted net income per share is calculated as follows:

     Years Ended December 31,  
         2012             2011      

Net loss attributable to Market Leader

   $ (7,784   $ (14,245
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     25,944        25,222   

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted shares

     25,944        25,222   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net basic loss per share

   $ (0.30   $ (0.56
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net diluted loss per share

   $ (0.30   $ (0.56
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Antidilutive equity-based awards

     6,311        6,881   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note 4: Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

At December 31, 2012, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments consisted of the following:

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Estimated
Fair
Value
 

Cash

   $ 4,049       $ —         $ 4,049   

Money market account

     7,116         —           7,116   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 11,165       $ —         $ 11,165   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Estimated
Fair
Value
 

U.S. Treasury bills

   $ 11,034       $ 3       $ 11,037   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Short-Term investments

   $ 11,034       $ 3       $ 11,037   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

At December 31, 2011, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments consisted of the following:

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Estimated
Fair
Value
 

Cash

   $ 2,373       $ —         $ 2,373   

Money market account

     5,585         —           5,585   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,958       $ —         $ 7,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Estimated
Fair
Value
 

U.S. Treasury bills

   $ 10,183       $ 6       $ 10,189   

Certificates of Deposit

     4,958         2         4,960   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Short-Term investments

   $ 15,141       $ 8       $ 15,149   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our U.S. Treasury bills and certificates of deposit are classified as held-to-maturity and the U.S. Treasury bills are carried at amortized cost. The estimated fair value of the U.S. Treasury bills is based on quoted market prices for identical investments. The estimated fair value of the certificate of deposit is based on a CD pricing model. All of our investments have a contractual maturity of one year or less.

We have not realized any gains or losses on our short-term investments in the periods presented.

Note 5: Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net of related depreciation and amortization consists of the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Software developed for internal use

   $ 11,801      $ 14,433   

Computer equipment and software

     7,444        7,422   

Office equipment and furniture

     1,254        932   

Leasehold improvements

     928        907   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     21,427        23,694   

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (15,941     (19,187
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 5,486      $ 4,507   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Software developed for internal use costs include external direct costs and internal direct labor and related employee benefits costs. Internal use software costs totaled $4,322 and $3,188, net of accumulated amortization at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software once it is available for use. Depreciation of capitalized internal use software costs was $2,182 and $2,071 for 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 6: Acquired Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets and related accumulated amortization consists of the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Cost:

    

Tradename

   $ 9,667      $ 9,667   

Developed technology

     6,903        6,903   

Customer base

     2,324        2,324   

Vendor agreements

     1,390        1,390   

Domain names

     620        391   

Home listings datafeeds

     75        75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost

     20,979        20,750   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization:

    

Tradename

     (3,903     (2,025

Developed technology

     (5,353     (4,253

Customer base

     (2,070     (1,858

Vendor agreements

     (1,390     (1,390

Domain names

     (516     (387

Home listings datafeeds

     (75     (75
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated amortization

     (13,307     (9,988
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquired Intangible Assets, net

   $ 7,672      $ 10,762   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Future amortization expense is expected to be as follows over each of the next five years:

 

     Total  

2013

   $ 2,954   

2014

     2,155   

2015

     1,563   

2016

     1,000   

2017

     —    
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 7,672   
  

 

 

 

Note 7: Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations accounted for under the acquisition method. We recorded additions to goodwill of $907 in 2011 related to the purchase of kwkly in January 2011 and SharperAgent in August 2011, as described in Note 2. We recorded additions to goodwill of $954 in 2010 related to the purchase of a controlling interest in ActiveRain in September of 2010.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 8: Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

The following table summarizes our accrued expenses and other current liabilities:

 

     December 31,  
     2012      2011  

Accrued advertising

   $ 766       $ 439   

Accrued services

     111         100   

Accrued legal and professional fees

     99         95   

Accrued business taxes

     56         35   

Contract termination liability

     —          1,350   

Other

     163         205   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,195       $ 2,224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 9: Self Insurance

We are self insured for our medical and dental coverage. The medical plan carries a stop-loss policy, which will protect from an individual claim during the plan year exceeding $100 or when cumulative medical claims exceed 125% of expected claims for the plan year. We record estimates of the total cost of claims incurred as of the balance sheet date based on an analysis of historical data and independent estimates. Our liability for self-insured medical and dental claims is included in accrued compensation and benefits and was $129 and $158 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Note 10: Income Taxes

Income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations is comprised of the following:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Current

   $ 21      $ (33

Deferred

     (3,008     (4,917

Valuation allowance

     3,041        4,923   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 54      $ (27
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax rate for continuing operations is as follows:

 

     2012     2011  

Federal statutory tax rate

     34.0     34.0

Incremental investment in ActiveRain

     —         —    

Other

     0.6     0.7

Change in valuation allowance

     (35.3 %)      (34.5 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     (0.7 %)      0.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2012     2011  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Net operating loss carryforward

   $ 13,878      $ 11,686   

Stock-based compensation

     4,425        3,623   

Acquired intangible assets

     3,885        3,413   

Alternative minimum tax credit

     448        448   

Allowances and accruals

     329        263   

Deferred rent

     60        163   

Valuation allowance

     (21,510     (18,469
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

   $ 1,515      $ 1,127   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Property and equipment

   $ (1,425   $ (1,048

Prepaids, discounts and other

     (90     (79

Goodwill

     (39     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

   $ (1,554   $ (1,133
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to reverse over the next five years, except for the net operating losses and the deferred tax liability related to goodwill deductions on the goodwill acquired in 2011. Based on our recent history of operating losses and the lack of carryback periods for losses, we believe it is more likely than not that we will be unable to generate sufficient taxable income to realize our deferred tax assets. As a result, we have established a valuation allowance for the amount of our gross deferred tax assets for which it is not more likely than not that we will realize the benefit. We increased our valuation allowance by $3,041 and $4,923 in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

At December 31, 2012, our gross U.S. Federal net operating loss carryforwards were $48,127 and will begin to expire in 2023.

At December 31, 2012 we have no unrecognized tax benefits. A reconciliation of the amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2012      2011  

Balance at January 1

   $  —        $ 115   

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

     —          —    

Additions for tax positions of prior years

     —          —    

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

     —          (21

Settlements

     —          (94
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  —        $  —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We have concluded all U.S. Federal income tax matters for years through 2009.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 11: Leases

In November 2012, the lease for our corporate offices in Kirkland, Washington was amended, with a December 2012 effective date, increasing the size of the leased space from 25,309 square feet to 28,941 square feet. The lease expires in August 2013.

In May 2012, the lease for our office in Seattle, Washington for 5,809 square feet was amended, extending the termination date from January 2013 to June 2013.

Through December 2012, we leased 6,740 square feet of office space in Greenwood Village, Colorado. In October 2012, we signed a lease for 4,244 square feet of new office space in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The lease has an effective date of January 2013 and expires in April 2016 with an option to extend the lease term for three years.

Our leases contain free rent periods and predetermined fixed escalations. We recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis and record the difference between the recognized rental expense and amounts payable under the lease as a deferred liability, which is included as a component of deferred rent on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Following are the future minimum payments required under all property and equipment operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2012.

 

2013

   $  454   

2014

     103   

2015

     95   

2016

     31   

2017

     —     
  

 

 

 
   $ 683   
  

 

 

 

Rent expense totaled $829 and $753 during 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Note 12: Stock Option Plans and Stock-Based Compensation

We issue stock options, restricted stock units, and stock appreciation rights to our employees under the terms of our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. Our stock-based compensation cost for employees granted stock options and restricted stock units is measured at grant date based on the fair value of the award, and expensed over the requisite service period.

Stock Option Fair Value Determination

Valuation and Recognition Method. We estimate the fair value of stock-based awards granted using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. We amortize the fair value of all awards, reduced for estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting periods.

Expected Life. The expected life of awards granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding. We determine the expected life based on our historical experience.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Expected Volatility. We estimate the volatility of our stock price at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of our stock price calculated over a term equivalent to the expected life of the award. During 2012, the range of expected volatilities used was 51% to 65%.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. We base the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term equivalent to the expected life of the award. During 2012, the range of risk-free interest rates used was 0.32% to 0.56%.

Expected Dividend Yield. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, we use an expected dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes option valuation model.

The value of each employee option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     Years Ended 
December 31,
     2012   2011

Weighted average expected risk-free interest rate

   0.36%   0.92%

Weighted average expected volatility

   58%   62%

Expected life (in years)

   3.5 years   3.5 years

Expected dividend yield

   0%   0%

Weighted average fair value

   $1.38   $0.93

Our stock options typically vest on a graded basis over a four year period and typically expire the earlier of ten years from the date of grant or ninety days following termination of employment.

Stock Option Activity

Employee stock options granted, exercised, canceled and expired under all of our stock option plans are summarized as follows:

 

     Options     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

     5,436,226      $ 3.23       $ 1.58         

Options granted

     375,000        4.60         1.84         

Options exercised

     (1,285,501     2.22         0.46         

Options forfeited

     (49,988     2.18         1.00         

Options expired

     (8,835     8.98         5.35         
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

Outstanding at December 31, 2012

     4,466,902      $ 3.64       $ 1.92         6.6 years       $ 15,632   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2012

     3,127,153      $ 4.00       $ 2.24         5.9 years       $ 10,600   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding at December 31, 2012 is calculated as the difference between the market price of the underlying common stock and the exercise price of the options for the options with exercise prices that were lower than the closing market price of our common stock at period end. The total intrinsic value of options exercised and the total grant date fair value of options that vested and were forfeited are included in the following table.

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Intrinsic value of options exercised

   $ 3,384       $ 4   

Grant date fair value of options vested

   $ 880       $ 851   

Grant date fair value of options forfeited

   $ 50       $ 84   

Stock Awards

We have granted restricted stock units to our executives and certain key employees under the 2004 Plan. These stock awards entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the award vests over vesting periods from two to four years. We measure the fair value of restricted stock units based upon the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock units are recognized over their applicable vesting period using the straight-line method reduced for estimated forfeitures. The total grant date fair value of stock awards that vested during 2012 and 2011 was $505 and $1,012, respectively.

During 2012, the following activity occurred related to our restricted stock units granted to employees:

 

     Stock
Awards
    Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Nonvested stock award balance at December 31, 2011

     618,707      $ 2.09   

Restricted stock units granted

     297,000        4.66   

Units upon which restrictions lapsed

     (244,675     2.07   

Restricted stock units forfeited

     (15,400     4.66   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonvested stock award balance at December 31, 2012

     655,632      $ 3.20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Employee Share Based Payments

On September 23, 2010, we granted options to purchase 200,000 of our common stock to a consultant under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan in exchange for services. The options granted vest over two years and the associated expense is included in our sales and marketing expense. At the end of each financial reporting period prior to vesting, the value of these options, as calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, is re-measured using the option fair value and the stock-based compensation recognized during the period is adjusted accordingly. The final re-measurement and stock compensation adjustment related to these options occurred on September 23, 2012, the date the options became fully vested.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The 2012 fully vested date and 2011 year-end and value of options granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

     Fully Vested Date
September 23
  Year Ended
December 31
     2012   2011

Exercise price

   $2.01   $2.01

Expected risk-free interest rate

   1.77%   1.89%

Expected volatility

   56%   57%

Expected life (in years)

   10 years   10 years

Expected dividend yield

   0%   0%

Weighted average fair value

   $5.31   $1.84

We recognized $829 and $202 of expense respectively in 2012 and 2011 related to these options. These options became fully vested during 2012, and therefore, there is no expense remaining to be recognized in future years.

Stock Appreciation Rights

In September 2011, the Company granted stock appreciation rights to executives. The stock appreciation rights entitle the holder to the appreciation in value of the award as the award vests over a four-year period. The awards can be settled in cash or shares of common stock, at the Company’s option.

We measure the fair value of stock appreciation rights similar to stock options. Additionally stock appreciation rights are liability-classified awards that must be remeasured at fair value at the end of each reporting period, and cumulative compensation cost adjusted for changes in fair value. Compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights is recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line method reduced for estimated forfeitures. We recognized $1,085 and $45 of expense in 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to these stock appreciation rights. Stock appreciation rights activity is summarized in the following table:

 

     Stock
Appreciation
Rights
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

     626,000      $ 2.25       $ 1.29         

Stock appreciation rights granted

     382,500        4.66         1.89         

Stock appreciation rights exercised

     (20,000     2.36         4.31         

Stock appreciation rights forfeited

     —          —           —           

Stock appreciation rights expired

     —          —           —           
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

Outstanding at December 31, 2012

     988,500      $ 3.18       $ 3.80         4.0 years       $ 3,329   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2012

     202,687      $ 2.48       $ 4.22         3.8 years       $ 826   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The value of each employee stock appreciation right granted was estimated at the end of each reporting period using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     Years Ended 
December 31,
     2012   2011

Weighted average exercise price

   $3.18   $2.25

Weighted average expected risk-free interest rate

   0.30%   0.36%

Weighted average expected volatility

   49%   65%

Expected life (in years)

   2.5 years   3.5 years

Expected dividend yield

   0%   0%

Weighted average fair value

   $3.80   $1.29

Our stock appreciation rights typically vest on a graded basis over either a two or four year period and typically expire the earlier of five years from the date of grant or ninety days following termination of employment.

Stock-based Compensation

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense for the respective periods:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2012     2011  

Total cost of share-based payment plans

   $ 3,395      $ 1,603   

Amounts capitalized in internally developed software

     (146     (104
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts charged against income, before income tax benefit

   $ 3,249      $ 1,499   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amount of related income tax benefit recognized

   $ —       $ —    

Depreciation recognized for stock compensation capitalized in fixed assets

   $ 119      $ 137   

In 2012 and 2011, we have recognized a full valuation allowance against the income tax benefit resulting from our stock-based compensation as shown above.

As of December 31, 2012, we had $5,981 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based awards granted to employees under all equity compensation plans, which includes restricted stock units, stock options, and stock appreciation rights. We expect to recognize this cost over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.

 

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Market Leader, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Note 13: Common Stock

Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance

The following table sets forth the shares of common stock reserved for future issuance:

 

     December 31,
2012
 

Options outstanding under the 1999 Stock Option Plan

     98,307   

Options, stock appreciation rights, and unvested stock awards outstanding under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan

     6,212,727   

Additional equity awards that can be issued under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan

     458,865   
  

 

 

 

Common stock reserved for future issuance

     6,769,899   
  

 

 

 

An additional 700,000 shares was authorized for issuance effective January 1, 2013 under the automatic annual increase provisions of the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. We issue new shares for option exercises and vested restricted stock units.

Note 14: 401(k) Plan

We provide a defined contribution 401(k) plan for our employees. Participating employees may contribute a portion of their salary to the plan up to the maximum allowed by the federal tax guidelines. Additionally, we may make discretionary contributions to the plan. To date, no discretionary contributions have been made to the plan.

Note 15: Contract Termination Charge

We terminated a licensing agreement for marketing design software effective December 31, 2011. As a result, we were released from future minimum contractual liabilities totaling $2.6 million, as well as any and all future revenue sharing payments, in exchange for early termination fees totaling $1.45 million.

Note 16: Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2012      2011  

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

   $ 12       $ 7   

Noncash investing and financing activities:

     

Increase in payables for property and equipment

   $ 108       $ 46   

Equity issued in stock appreciation right exercises

   $ 86       $  —    

Payable related to acquisition of noncontrolling interest in ActiveRain

   $  —        $ 41   

Equity issued in acquisition of kwkly

   $  —        $ 598   

 

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Market Leader,Inc.

SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Column A

   Column B      Column C      Column D     Column E  

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Additions      Deductions     Balance at
End of
Period
 

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

          

Year ended:

          

December 31, 2012

   $ 36       $ 552       $ 574 (A)    $ 14   

December 31, 2011

   $ 12       $ 618       $ 594 (A)    $ 36   

 

(A) Deductions consist of write-offs of uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries.

 

Column A

   Column B      Column C      Column D      Column E  

Description

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
     Additions      Deductions      Balance at
End of
Period
 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:

           

Year ended:

           

December 31, 2012

   $ 18,469       $ 3,041       $  —        $ 21,510   

December 31, 2011

   $ 13,546       $ 4,923       $  —        $ 18,469   

 

64