Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and follows a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices available in active markets (i.e., observable inputs) and the lowest priority to data lacking transparency (i.e., unobservable inputs). In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

All aspects of nonperformance risk, including the Company’s own credit standing, are considered when measuring the fair value of a liability.

Following is a description of the three levels:

Level 1 Inputs: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 Inputs: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 Inputs: Instruments with unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.

HECM loans securitized into Ginnie Mae HMBS are not actively traded in open markets with readily observable market prices.

The Company values HECM loans securitized into Ginnie Mae HMBS utilizing a present value methodology that discounts estimated projected cash flows over the life of the loan portfolio using prepayment, borrower mortality, borrower draw and discount rate assumptions management believes a market participant would use in estimating fair value. The significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement include:

Conditional Repayment Rate—The Company projects borrower prepayment rates which considers borrower age and gender and is based on historical termination rates. The outputs of borrower prepayment rates, which include both voluntary and involuntary prepayments, are utilized to anticipate future terminations.

Loss Frequency and Severity—Termination proceeds are adjusted for expected loss frequencies and severities to arrive at net proceeds that will be provided upon final resolution. Loss frequency and severity represent the frequency of losses and the losses associated with loans that are liquidated through a foreclosure sale, net of claim proceeds. Historical experience is utilized to estimate the loss rates resulting from scenarios where FHA insurance proceeds are not expected to cover all principal and interest outstanding and, as servicer, the Company is exposed to losses upon resolution of the loan. Loss frequency and severity are based upon the historical experience with specific loan resolution waterfalls.

Discount Rate—derived based upon reference to yields required by market participants for recent transactions in the HECM loan bulk market adjusted based upon weighted average life of the loan portfolio. This rate reflects what the Company believes to be a market participant’s required yield on HECM loans of similar weighted average lives. The yield spread is applied over an interpolated benchmark curve or as a spread over a collateral forward curve.

Average Draw Rates—The draw curve is estimated based upon the historical experience with the specific product type contemplating the borrower’s age and loan age.

Changes to any of these assumptions could result in significantly different valuation results. The Company classifies reverse mortgage loans held for investment as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy, as they are dependent on unobservable inputs.

 

Reverse mortgage loans held for investment, subject to nonrecourse debt, include HECM loans previously purchased out of Ginnie Mae HMBS pools and non jumbo reverse mortgages, which have been subsequently securitized and serve as collateral for the issued debt. These loans are not traded in active and open markets with readily observable market prices. The Company classifies reverse mortgage loans held for investment, subject to nonrecourse debt as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

The Company values nonperforming securitized HECM buyouts utilizing a present value methodology that discounts estimated projected cash flows over the life of the portfolio.

The Company aggregates loan portfolios based upon the underlying securitization trust and values these loans using these aggregated pools. The range of inputs provided above are based upon the range of inputs utilized for each securitization trust.

The Company values performing securitized HECM buyouts utilizing a present value methodology that discounts estimated projected cash flows over the life of the portfolio.

The following table presents the weighted average significant unobservable assumptions used in the fair value measurement of performing securitized HECM buyouts for the periods indicated:

The Company values securitized reverse mortgage loans utilizing a present value methodology that discounts estimated projected cash flows over the life of the loan portfolio.

The Company aggregates loan portfolios based upon the underlying securitization trust and values these loans using these aggregated pools. The range of inputs provided above are based upon the range of inputs utilized for each securitization trust.

The securitized Fix & Flip loans are short-term loans for individual real estate investors, with terms ranging from 9—24 months. This product is valued using a DCF model. The Company classifies these mortgage loans as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

 

Unsecuritized tails consists of performing and nonperforming repurchased loans. The fair value of performing unsecuritized tails are valued at current pricing levels for similar Ginnie Mae HMBS. The fair value of nonperforming unsecuritized tails is based on expected claim proceeds from HUD upon assignment of the loans.

The fair value of repurchased loans is based on expected cash proceeds of the liquidation of the underlying properties and expected claim proceeds from HUD. The primary assumptions utilized in valuing nonperforming repurchased loans include loss frequency and loss severity. Termination proceeds are adjusted for expected loss frequencies and severities to arrive at net proceeds that will be provided upon final resolution, including assignments to FHA. Historical experience is utilized to estimate the loss rates resulting from scenarios where FHA insurance proceeds are not expected to cover all principal and interest outstanding and, as servicer, the Company is exposed to losses upon resolution of the loan.

The Company classifies reverse mortgage loans held for investment, at fair value as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

The fair value of Inventory Buyouts is based on the expected cash proceeds of the liquidation of the underlying properties and expected claim proceeds from HUD. The primary assumptions utilized in valuing Inventory Buyouts include loss frequency and loss severity. Termination proceeds are adjusted for expected loss frequencies and severities to arrive at net proceeds that will be provided upon final resolution, including assignments to FHA. Historical experience is utilized to estimate the loss rates resulting from scenarios where FHA insurance proceeds are not expected to cover all principal and interest outstanding and, as servicer, the Company is exposed to losses upon resolution of the loan.

The Company values Inventory Buyouts utilizing a present value methodology that discounts estimated projected cash flows over the life of the portfolio.

 

The Fix & Flip loans are short-term loans for individual real estate investors, with terms ranging from 9—24 months. This product is valued using a DCF model. The Company classifies these mortgage loans as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

As of March 2021, management made the decision to change the classification of fix & flip loans from loans held for sale, at fair value, to loans held for investment, at fair value.

The agricultural loans are government-insured loans made to farmers to fund their inputs and operating expenses for the upcoming growing season with terms ranging from 7—17 months. The product is valued using a DCF model. The Company classifies these loans as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

 

Reverse mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value, consists of unpoolable loans that the Company intends to sell to third party investors. Reverse mortgage loans held for sale consists primarily of performing repurchased loans. The fair value of performing unpoolable loans is based on expected claim proceeds from HUD upon assignment of the loans. In certain instances the loan balance may exceed the MCA. In these instances, the fair value is based on expected proceeds from sale of the underlying property and any additional HUD claim proceeds. The Company classifies reverse mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

Mortgage loans held for sale include residential and commercial mortgage loans originated by the Company and held until sold to secondary market investors. The Company primarily originates conventional GSEs and residential mortgage loans held for sale and commercial loans held for sale.

The Company originates or purchases mortgage loans in the U.S. that it intends to sell to FNMA, FHLMC, and Ginnie Mae (collectively “the Agencies”). Additionally, the Company originates or purchases mortgage loans in the U.S. that it intends to sell into the secondary markets via whole loan sales. Mortgage loans held for sale are typically pooled and sold into certain exit markets, depending upon underlying attributes of the loan, such as agency eligibility, product type, interest rate, and credit quality. In addition, the Company may originate loans that do not meet specific underwriting criteria and are not eligible to be sold to the Agencies. Two valuation methodologies are used to determine the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale. The methodology used depends on the exit market as described below:

—This includes all mortgage loans that can be sold to the Agencies, which are valued predominantly by published forward agency prices. This will also include all loans where recently negotiated market prices for the loan pool exist with a counterparty (which approximates fair value), or quoted market prices for similar loans are available. As these valuations are derived from quoted market prices, the Company classifies these valuations as Level 2 in the fair value disclosures. During periods of illiquidity of the mortgage marketplace, it may be necessary to look for alternative sources of value, including the whole loan purchase market for similar loans, and place more reliance on the valuations using internal models. Due to limited sales activity and periodically unobservable prices in certain of the Company’s markets, certain mortgage loans held for sale portfolios may transfer from Level 2 to Level 3 in future periods.

 

– To the extent observable market prices are not available, the Company will determine the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale using a collateral based valuation model, which approximates expected cash proceeds on liquidation. For loans where bid prices or commitment prices are unavailable, these valuation models estimate the exit price the Company expects to receive in the loan’s principal market and are based on a combination of recent appraisal values, adjusted for certain loss factors. The Company classifies these valuations as Level 3 in the fair value disclosures.

The Company primarily originates two separate commercial loan products that it classifies as held for sale: Single Rental Loan (“SRL”) and Portfolio Lending.

The SRL product is designed for small/individual real estate investors looking to purchase and then rent out a single property. These are loans with fixed interest rates typically between 5.0%—8.0%. This product is valued using a DCF model. The Company classifies these mortgage loans as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

The Portfolio Lending product is designed for larger investors with multiple properties. Specifically, these loans are useful for consolidating multiple rental property mortgages into a single loan. These loans have fixed coupons that typically range from %—%, with 5 and balloon structures, as well as a structure. This product is valued using a DCF model. The Company classifies these mortgage loans as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

 

The Fix & Flip loans are short-term loans for individual real estate investors, with terms ranging from 24 months. This product is valued using a DCF model. The Company classifies these mortgage loans as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy.

The Company utilized the following weighted average assumptions in estimating the fair value of fix & flip mortgage loans for the periods indicated:

As of March 2021, management made the decision to change the classification of fix & flip loans from loans held for sale, at fair value, to loans held for investment, at fair value.

As of December 31, 2021 (Successor) and December 31, 2020 (Predecessor), the Company valued MSRs internally. The significant assumptions utilized to determine fair value are projected prepayments using the Public Securities Association Standard Prepayment Model, discount rates, and projected servicing costs that vary based on the loan type and delinquency. The Company classifies these valuations as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy since they are dependent on unobservable inputs.

Fair value is derived through a DCF analysis and calculated using a computer pricing model. This computer valuation is based on the objective characteristics of the portfolio (loan amount, note rate, etc.) and commonly used industry assumptions (Prepayment speed assumptions (“PSA”), discount rate, etc.). The assumptions taken into account by the pricing model are those which many active purchasers of servicing employ in their evaluations of portfolios for sale in the secondary market. The unique characteristics of the secondary servicing market often dictate adjustments to parameters over short periods of time.

Subjective factors are also considered in the derivation of fair values, including levels of supply and demand for servicing, interest rate trends, and perception of risk not incorporated into prepayment assumptions.

Fair value is defined as the estimated price at which the servicing rights would change hands in the marketplace between a willing buyer and seller. The valuation assumes that neither party would be under any compulsion to buy or sell and that each has reasonably complete and accurate knowledge of all relevant aspects of the offered servicing. The fair values represented in this analysis have been derived under the assumptions that sufficient time would be available to market the portfolio.

 

These sensitivities are hypothetical and should be evaluated with care. The effect on fair value of a 10% variation in assumptions generally cannot be determined because the relationship of the change in assumptions to the fair value may not be linear. Additionally, the impact of a variation in a particular assumption on the fair value is calculated while holding other assumptions constant. In reality, changes in one factor may lead to changes in other factors, which could impact the above hypothetical effects.

The Company invests in the equity of other companies in the form of common stock, preferred stock, or other equity interests. To the extent market prices are not observable, the Company engages third party valuation experts to assist in determining the fair value of these investments. The values are determined utilizing a market approach which estimates fair value based on what other participants in the market have paid for reasonably similar assets that have been sold within a reasonable period from the valuation date. The Company classifies these valuations as Level 3 in the fair value disclosures.

Some of the derivatives held by the Company are exchange-traded or traded within highly active dealer markets. In order to determine the fair value of these instruments, the Company utilizes the exchange price or dealer market price for the particular derivative contract; therefore, these contracts are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company executes derivative contracts, including forward commitments, TBAs, interest rate swaps, and interest rate swap futures, as part of its overall risk management strategy related to its reverse mortgage and commercial loan portfolios. The value of the forward commitments is estimated using current market prices for HMBS and are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. TBAs are valued based on forward dealer marks from the Company’s approved counterparties and are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The value of interest rate swaps and interest rate swap futures is based on the exchange price or dealer market prices. The Company classifies interest rate swaps as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company classifies interest rate swap futures as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The value of the forward MBS is based on forward prices with dealers in such securities or internally-developed third party models utilizing observable market inputs. The Company classifies forward MBS as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

In addition, the Company enters into IRLCs with prospective borrowers. Commitments to fund residential mortgage loans with potential borrowers are a binding agreement to lend funds to these potential borrowers at a specified interest rate within a specified period of time. The fair value of IRLCs is derived from the fair value of similar mortgage loans or bonds, which is based on observable market data. Changes to the fair value of IRLCs are recognized based on changes in interest rates, changes in the probability that the commitment will be exercised (pull through factor), and the passage of time. The expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan are included in the fair value measurement of IRLCs. The Company adjusts the outstanding IRLCs with prospective borrowers based on an expectation that it will be exercised and the loan will be funded. Given the unobservable nature of the pull through factor, IRLCs are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The HMBS related obligation valuation considers the obligation to pass FHA insured cash flows through to the beneficial interest holders (repayment of secured borrowing) of the HMBS securities and the servicer and issuer obligations of the Company.

The valuation of the obligation to repay the secured borrowing is estimated using Level 3 unobservable market inputs. The estimated fair value is based on the net present value of projected cash flows over the estimated life of the liability. The estimated fair value of the HMBS related obligations also includes the consideration required by a market participant to transfer the HECM and HMBS servicing obligations, including exposure resulting from shortfalls in FHA insurance proceeds.

The Company’s valuation considers assumptions that it believes a market participant would consider in valuing the liability, including, but not limited to, assumptions for repayment, costs to transfer servicing obligations, shortfalls in FHA insurance proceeds, and discount rates. The significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement include:

Borrower Repayment Rates—the conditional repayment rate curve considers borrower age and gender and is based on historical termination rates.

Discount Rate—derived based on an assessment of current market yields and spreads that a market participant would consider for entering into an obligation to pass FHA insured cash flows through to holders of the HMBS beneficial interests. Yield spread applied over interpolated benchmark curve or as a spread over collateral forward curve.

Outstanding notes issued that are securitized by nonrecourse debt are paid using the cash flows from the underlying reverse mortgage loans, which serve as collateral for the debt. The fair value of nonrecourse debt is

 

estimated using Level 3 unobservable market inputs. The estimated fair value is based on the net present value of projected cash flows over the estimated life of the liability. The significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement include:

Weighted Average Remaining Life—The projected remaining life is based on the expected conditional prepayment rate, which is utilized to determine future terminations.

Borrower Repayment Rates—The conditional repayment rate curve considers borrower age and gender and is based on historical termination rates.

Discount Rate—derived based on an assessment of current market yields and spreads that a market participant would consider for entering into an obligation to pass FHA insured cash flows through to holders of the HMBS beneficial interests. Yield spread applied over interpolated benchmark curve or as a spread over collateral forward curve.

The Company’s valuation considers assumptions that it believes a market participant would consider in valuing the liability, including, but not limited to, assumptions for prepayment and discount rates. The following table presents the weighted average significant unobservable assumptions used in the fair value measurements of nonrecourse debt for the periods indicated:

Outstanding nonrecourse notes issued that are securitized by loans held for investment, subject to nonrecourse debt, are paid using the cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans. The fair value of nonrecourse debt is estimated using Level 3 unobservable market inputs. The estimated fair value is based on the net present value of projected cash flows over the estimated life of the liability.

 

Deferred purchase price liabilities are measured using a present value of future payments which considers various assumptions, including future loan origination volumes, projected earnings and discount rates. As of December 31, 2021 (Successor) and December 31, 2020 (Predecessor), the Company utilized discount rates ranging from 8% to 35% to value the deferred purchase price liabilities. The liabilities as of December 31, 2021 (Successor) include provisional estimates for the seller earnout provision related to the Parkside asset purchase agreement that was based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date. Refer to Note 4—Acquisitions for additional details regarding this acquisitions. As this value is largely based on unobservable inputs, the Company classifies this liability as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of the TRA obligation resulting from the exchanges at the Business Combination Closing Date is derived through the use of a DCF model. The significant assumptions used in the DCF include the ability to utilize tax attributes based on current tax forecasts, a constant U.S. federal income tax rate and an assumed weighted average state and local income tax rate, and a 13.5% discount rate applied to future payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements. The Company classifies the TRA obligation as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company has sold to certain third parties the right to receive all excess servicing and ancillary fees related to identified MSRs in exchange for an upfront payment equal to the entire purchase price of the identified MSRs.

The Company has elected to account for the servicing liability using the fair value option. Consistent with the underlying MSRs, fair value is derived through a DCF analysis and calculated using a computer pricing model. This computer valuation is based on the objective characteristics of the portfolio (loan amount, note rate, etc.) and commonly used industry assumptions (PSAs, etc.). The assumptions taken into account by the pricing model are those which many active purchasers of servicing rights employ in their evaluations of portfolios for sale in the secondary market. The unique characteristics of the secondary servicing market often dictate adjustments to parameters over short periods of time.

Subjective factors are also considered in the derivation of fair values, including levels of supply and demand for servicing, interest rate trends, and perception of risk not incorporated into prepayment assumptions.

 

 

The retained bonds, at fair value, represents the U.S. Risk Retention Certificates, a 5% eligible vertical interest in the Company’s unconsolidated VIEs: HAWT 2021-INV1, HAWT 2021-INV2 and HAWT 2021-INV3. The beneficial interests retained consist of an interest in each class of securities issued by the Trust. Because of the nature of the valuation inputs and due to the lack of observable market prices or data the Company classifies retained bonds as Level 3 assets within the GAAP hierarchy. Quarterly, management obtains third party valuations to assess the reasonableness of the fair value calculations provided by the internal valuation model. The following table presents the weighted average significant unobservable assumptions used in the fair value measurement of retained bonds for the period indicated:

The Company has determined that the FoA warrants are subject to treatment as a liability. The warrants issued are exercisable for shares of Class A Common Stock of FoA at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The warrants are publicly traded and are valued based on the closing market price of the applicable date of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Accordingly, the warrants are classified as Level 1 financial instruments.