|
Exhibit 10.1 FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT THIS FOURTH
AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this
"Amendment") is made as of the 13 day of January, 2009 (the
"Closing Date"), by and among ASHTON WOODS USA L.L.C. ("Borrower"),
the LENDERS party hereto, WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
agent ("Agent"), and the GUARANTORS party hereto. R
E C I T
A L S
WHEREAS, Borrower, Agent and the
Lenders have entered into a certain First Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement dated as of December 16, 2005 (as amended by
that certain First Amendment to First Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement dated as of January 11, 2007, that certain Second
Amendment to First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as
of June 15, 2007, and that certain Third Amendment to First
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 20,
2007, the "Credit Agreement"). Capitalized terms used in this
Amendment which are not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall
have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit
Agreement; WHEREAS, the Guarantors
consist of Owner Guarantors that have executed or otherwise become
a party to the Owner Guaranty Agreement and Subsidiary Guarantors
that have executed or otherwise become a party to the Subsidiary
Guaranty Agreement; WHEREAS, Borrower
and the Guarantors have requested Agent and the Lenders to amend
the Credit Agreement to modify certain provisions and to make other
such changes as the parties hereunder deem appropriate upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, certain Specified Defaults
(as hereinafter defined) are currently existing as a result of
which the Lenders are under no obligation to continue to make Loans
or issue Facility L/Cs under the Credit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that
the Lenders waive the Specified Defaults and make certain Loans
and/or issue Facility L/Cs to Borrower and the Lenders have agreed
to do so only if the Credit Agreement is amended as set forth
herein and Borrower fulfills the conditions to effectiveness of
this Amendment including, but not limited to (i) granting the
Lenders a first priority, senior secured lien on substantially all
assets of Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors which liens shall
secure all Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement),
(ii) granting the Lenders a first priority, senior secured
lien on any ownership interests in Borrower owned by the Owner
Guarantors and (iii) the acceptance of the Noteholders
representing at least 90% of the Senior Subordinated Notes (as
described below) of the Exchanged Notes, the Offering Memorandum
and the Exchange Indenture (each as hereinafter defined);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the Recitals and the mutual promises contained herein and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, Borrower, Agent, the Lenders and the
Guarantors, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Recitals . The
Recitals are incorporated herein by reference and shall be deemed
to be a part of this Amendment.
SECTION 2. Amendments to the
Credit Agreement .
2.1 As
of the Closing Date, the Aggregate Commitment under the Credit
Agreement shall hereby be reduced to $95,000,000.
2.2 The
amendments to the Credit Agreement described in Section 2.3
below will become effective if, prior to February 20, 2009
(the "Effectiveness Termination Date"), the following conditions
are satisfied (unless waived by the Required Lenders, in writing,
in their sole discretion) (the date on or prior to the
Effectiveness Termination Date that such conditions are satisfied
shall be the "Fourth Amendment Effective Date"). If the following
conditions are not satisfied on or prior to the Effectiveness
Termination Date, the amendments described in Section 2.3 below
shall not be effective at any time:
(a)
The Bond Resolution (as hereinafter defined) shall have been
completed;
(b)
Borrower shall have received at least $20,000,000 in new cash
equity from Borrower’s owners or third-party investors since
the Closing Date (the "New Equity");
(c)
The Bridge Loan (as hereinafter defined) shall be repaid and the
commitments thereunder terminated prior to or concurrently with the
Fourth Amendment Effective Date and the Bridge Collateral shall be
released by the Bridge Creditor (as hereinafter defined);
(d)
Borrower shall have entered into the Security Documents (as defined
in the amendments set forth in Schedule 1) which shall be
satisfactory in all respects to Agent and the Required Lenders and
which provide a first priority, senior secured lien on all
homebuilding assets and all other personal property, cash, and
intangible assets and other assets (subject to such exceptions as
may be approved by Agent), owned at such time or thereafter
acquired, of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in favor of Agent for
the benefit of the Lenders to secure the Obligations (the
"Security"); provided that each Lender shall be assumed to have
agreed that such forms of Security Documents are satisfactory if
they do not advise Agent otherwise prior to February 1, 2009;
(e)
Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent due diligence related to
the Security which satisfies the Mortgage Requirements (subject to
such exceptions as may be approved by Agent) (other than the
Appraisals) (each as defined in Schedule 1) for all real
property assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
(f)
The Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreements, the Mortgages and
the Control Agreements (each as defined in Schedule 1) shall
have been properly executed by Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors,
the Owner Guarantors and Agent, as appropriate;
(g)
Each document (including each Uniform Commercial Code financing
statement) required by law or reasonably requested by Agent to be
filed,
2
registered or recorded in order to create in favor of Agent for
the benefit of Lenders a valid, legal and perfected first-priority
security interest in and lien on the Security (subject to Permitted
Liens) shall have been filed, registered or recorded and evidence
thereof shall have been delivered to Agent;
(h)
Borrower shall have paid all fees, expenses and costs (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses but excluding the
allocated costs of internal counsel) incurred by Agent, Lenders or
their Affiliates or agents in connection with the Credit Agreement,
this Amendment and the Security, including the remaining 60% of the
Consent Fee (as hereinafter defined);
(i)
Borrower shall have delivered to Agent opinions of counsel
addressing due authorization, execution and enforceability of the
Security Documents and such other matters relating to this
Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby as Agent may
reasonably request;
(j)
Borrower shall provide a supplement to Schedule 2 and
Schedule 4.16 to the Credit Agreement if Borrower determines
necessary, and such Schedules, as supplemented, shall be
satisfactory in all respects to Agent;
(k)
The fact that the representations and warranties of Borrower and
each Guarantor contained in Article 4 of the Credit Agreement
and Section 8 of this Amendment shall be true, correct and
complete in all material respects on and as of the Fourth Amendment
Effective Date as if made on and as of such date unless stated to
relate to a specific earlier date (in which case such
representations and warranties shall have been true, correct and
complete in all material respects on and as of such earlier date);
(l)
No Default or Event of Default shall (i) have occurred or be
continuing under the Credit Agreement or (ii) occur or exist
upon effectiveness of this Agreement and the amendments to the
Credit Agreement contemplated hereby;
(m)
No default or event of default shall exist under (i) the
Amended Notes, (ii) the Exchanged Notes, or (iii) the
Exchange Indenture; and
(n)
Borrower and all Guarantors shall have delivered to Agent a
certificate certifying, as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date,
as follows: EACH OF BORROWER AND THE
GUARANTORS ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EACH OF THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HAS
ACTED IN GOOD FAITH AND HAS CONDUCTED ITSELF IN A COMMERCIALLY
REASONABLE MANNER IN ITS RELATIONSHIPS WITH BORROWER AND THE
GUARANTORS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOURTH AMENDMENT AND IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OBLIGATIONS AND THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, BORROWER
AND THE GUARANTORS HEREBY WAIVING AND RELEASING ANY CLAIMS TO THE
CONTRARY. EACH OF BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND
ON BEHALF OF EACH OF ITS AFFILIATES, RELEASES AND DISCHARGES THE
AGENT AND THE LENDERS, ALL AFFILIATES OF THE
3
AGENT AND THE LENDERS, ALL OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES,
ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS OF THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS OR ANY OF THEIR
AFFILIATES, AND ALL OF THEIR PREDECESSORS IN INTEREST, FROM ANY AND
ALL CLAIMS, DEFENSES AND CAUSES OF ACTION, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN
AND WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY USURY CLAIMS, THAT HAVE AT ANY TIME BEEN OWNED, OR
THAT ARE HEREAFTER OWNED, IN TORT OR IN CONTRACT BY BORROWER, ANY
GUARANTOR OR ANY AFFILIATE OF BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR AND THAT
ARISE OUT OF ANY ONE OR MORE CIRCUMSTANCES OR EVENTS THAT OCCURRED
PRIOR TO THE FOURTH AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE. MOREOVER, EACH OF
BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, ON ITS OWN
BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH OF ITS AFFILIATES, WAIVES ANY AND ALL
CLAIMS NOW OR HEREAFTER ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO ANY DELAY BY THE
AGENT AND THE LENDERS IN EXERCISING ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER
THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
2.3 On
the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the following amendments to
the Credit Agreement shall be effective:
(a)
The definitions set forth in Part A of Schedule 1,
attached hereto and made a part hereof, shall be deleted from
Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement and such definitions shall
be restated in their entirety as set forth in Part A of
Schedule 1;
(b)
The definitions set forth in Part B of Schedule 1,
attached hereto and made a part hereof, shall be added to
Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement in alphabetical order;
(c)
The definitions set forth in Part C of Schedule 1,
attached hereto and made a part hereof, shall be deleted from
Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement in their entirety;
(d)
The sections in the Credit Agreement as set forth in Part D of
Schedule 1, attached hereto and made a part hereof, shall be
deleted from the Credit Agreement and such sections shall be
restated in their entirety as set forth in Part D of
Schedule 1;
(e)
The sections to the Credit Agreement set forth in Part E of
Schedule 1, attached hereto and made a part hereof, shall be
added to the Credit Agreement in the numerical order set forth in
Part E of Schedule 1;
(f)
Exhibit A to the Credit Agreement shall hereby be amended by
deleting such Exhibit A in its entirety and inserting in lieu
thereof the Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part
hereof;
4
(g)
Exhibits J-1, J-2, J-3, K, L-1, L-2 and M, each as attached hereto
and made a part hereof, shall be added to, and become Exhibits to,
the Credit Agreement; and
(h)
Schedule 4.16, delivered as required pursuant to
Section 8.17 hereof, shall be added to, and become a Schedule
to, the Credit Agreement.
2.4 If
the conditions set forth in Section 2.2 are not satisfied on
or prior to the Effectiveness Termination Date, the amendments and
supplements to the Credit Agreement and Exhibits and Schedules to
the Credit Agreement as set forth in Section 2.3 shall not be
effective at any time. SECTION 3.
Bond Resolution . On or before the Effectiveness Termination
Date (the "Bond Resolution Date"), Borrower shall have caused to be
effective a consent solicitation and exchange offer for the 9.5%
Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Senior Subordinated Notes")
pursuant to which such Senior Subordinated Notes shall be
surrendered and exchanged for new subordinated notes to be issued
by Borrower (the "Exchanged Notes") and the indenture governing any
remaining Senior Subordinated Notes will be amended (the "Bond
Amendment"). Such exchange offer and consent solicitation shall be
evidenced by an offering memorandum and letter of transmittal
(collectively, the "Offering Memorandum"). The Exchanged Notes
shall be evidenced by a new indenture (the "Exchange Indenture").
The Offering Memorandum, the Bond Amendment, the Exchanged Notes
and the Exchange Indenture shall be satisfactory in all respects to
Agent and the Required Lenders, and shall be subject to the
conditions listed below. The effective exchange of at least 90% of
the Senior Subordinated Notes pursuant to the terms set forth in
the Offering Memorandum on or before the Bond Resolution Date and
satisfaction of the conditions listed below will be termed the
"Bond Resolution".
3.1
Noteholders representing at least 90% of the Senior Subordinated
Notes must have validly tendered and not withdrawn their Senior
Subordinated Notes pursuant to the Offering Memorandum.
3.2 The
Offering Memorandum and Exchange Indenture and all related
documentation must be satisfactory to Agent and Required Lenders
and shall include, without limitation, subordination and
intercreditor terms satisfactory to Agent and Required Lenders
providing that (among other things), in the event of a default
under the Exchanged Notes or upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default under the Credit Agreement, the noteholders shall be
precluded from exercising any remedies under the Exchanged Notes
(other than in the event of (i) a default in the payment of
principal under the Credit Agreement which is not waived or
remedied within 180 days or (ii) an acceleration of the
Credit Agreement), and no payments shall be made or accepted under
the Exchanged Notes for at least 180 days following a default
under the Exchanged Notes or an Event of Default under the Credit
Agreement; provided that each Lender shall be assumed to have
agreed that such subordination and intercreditor terms are
satisfactory if it does not advise Agent otherwise in writing prior
to the Bond Resolution Date.
3.3 No
default or event of default shall exist under (a) the Senior
Subordinated Notes (as amended pursuant to the Bond Amendment on or
prior to the effectiveness of the
5
Exchange Indenture, the "Amended Notes"), (b) the Exchanged
Notes, or (c) the Exchange Indenture.
3.4 The
terms of the Exchanged Notes shall be based on the provisions set
forth in the terms and conditions attached hereto as
Schedule 2. The Lenders hereby (i) consent to the
amendment and exchange of the Senior Subordinated Notes on or prior
to the Effectiveness Termination Date subject to the satisfaction
of the conditions listed in this Section 3, and
(ii) agree that an amendment and exchange of the Senior
Subordinated Notes on or prior to the Effectiveness Termination
Date subject to the satisfaction of the conditions listed in this
Section 3 shall not constitute a Default under the Credit
Agreement. SECTION 4. Defaults;
Waiver . Borrower is in default under the terms of the Credit
Agreement. In particular, (i) for the fiscal period ending
May 31, 2008, Borrower is in noncompliance with
Section 6.10 [Maintenance of Minimum Tangible Net Worth],
Section 6.11 [Maintenance of Leverage Ratio] and
Section 7.5 [Land Components] of the Credit Agreement,
(ii) for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2008,
Borrower is in noncompliance with Section 6.10 [Maintenance of
Minimum Tangible Net Worth], Section 6.11 [Maintenance of
Leverage Ratio], Section 7.4 [Limitation on Unimproved Entitled
Land] and Section 7.5 [Land Components] of the Credit
Agreement and (iii) as of October 1, 2008, Borrower is in
noncompliance with Section 9.6(a) [Default in Payment of any
Indebtedness] for the payments due on October 1, 2008
(collectively, the "Specified Defaults"). Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, Agent and the Lenders hereby agree to
waive compliance with the Credit Agreement for the Specified
Defaults; provided however that such waiver shall only be effective
on and as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date. If the conditions
set forth in Section 2.2 are not satisfied on or prior to the
Effectiveness Termination Date, the waiver set forth in this
Section 4 shall have no force and effect and the Lenders
hereby reserve all of their rights and remedies with respect to the
Specified Defaults. Other defaults may exist under the terms of the
Credit Agreement and the Lenders reserve the right to assert all
other defaults under the Credit Agreement, whether such defaults
exist now or may hereafter occur.
SECTION 5. No Fundings . No
Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan shall be made, nor shall
any Facility L/C be issued, until the Fourth Amendment Effective
Date. SECTION 6. Bridge Loan .
6.1 The
Lenders hereby consent to the borrowing by Borrower and guaranty by
the Borrower Subsidiaries of a loan which loan shall (a) not
exceed $7,000,000, (b) be provided by Parkmount Land
Development Inc. (an entity owned and controlled by existing direct
or indirect equity holders of Borrower) (the "Bridge Creditor"),
(c) be secured by assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries with
an aggregate book value not to exceed the lesser of (i) two
times the principal amount of such loan and (ii) $14,000,000 (the
"Bridge Collateral"), (d) contain no covenants,
(e) contain no cross default to the Credit Agreement,
(f) have a maturity date not later than one (1) year from
the date the loan is made, (h) provide for interest payments
not in excess of the greater of (i) the Alternate Base Rate
plus 6.00% and (ii) the LIBOR Rate plus 6.00%, (h) not
require principal payments on such loan prior to maturity,
(i) permit
6
prepayment, without penalty or premium, of such loan, and
(j) otherwise contain terms and conditions subject to
Agent’s approval (the "Bridge Loan").
6.2
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 6.1
above, the Lenders hereby waive compliance with the Credit
Agreement for (a) the failure of the Borrower to comply or to
cause compliance with Section 7.2 of the Credit Agreement by
placing a Lien on the Bridge Collateral pursuant to the terms of
the Bridge Loan, and (b) the failure of the Borrower to comply
or cause compliance with Section 7.9 of the Credit Agreement
by incurring additional Indebtedness under the Bridge Loan.
SECTION 7. Conditions Precedent to
Closing . The Closing Date of this Amendment is subject to the
following conditions:
7.1
this Amendment shall have been properly executed by the Required
Lenders, Agent, the Guarantors and Borrower;
7.2
Borrower shall be diligently pursuing the Bond Resolution, pursuant
to the terms set forth in Schedule 2;
7.3
Borrower shall have paid all fees and expenses to be paid by
Borrower to Agent and the Lenders in connection with the Credit
Agreement and this Amendment, all fees, expenses and costs
(including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses but
excluding the allocated costs of internal counsel) incurred by
Agent, Lenders or their Affiliates or agents in connection with the
Credit Agreement and this Amendment, including a fee to Agent, for
the account of each Lender (including Wachovia Bank, National
Association) approving this Amendment, a consent fee (the "Consent
Fee") equal to 50 basis points multiplied by each such
Lender’s Commitment; provided , however that
only 40% of the Consent Fee shall be due and payable on the
Closing Date, and the remaining 60% of the Consent Fee shall be due
and payable on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date; provided
further , however , if the Fourth Amendment Effective
Date does not occur prior to the Effectiveness Termination Date, or
such later date as may be agreed to by the Lenders, the remaining
60% of the Consent Fee shall no longer be due and payable;
7.4
receipt by Agent, unless otherwise agreed to by Agent, of
resolutions of Borrower’s and each Guarantor’s board of
directors or similar governing body approving this Amendment and
the amendments to the Credit Agreement contained herein,
authorizing, among other things, the execution and delivery by the
appropriate officers on behalf of Borrower, and the performance by
Borrower, of this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents and certificates related to such resolutions;
7.5
receipt by Agent of opinions of counsel to Borrower and Guarantors,
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, addressing due
authorization, execution and enforceability of this Amendment, no
conflicts with any law or any other agreements, and such other
matters relating to this Amendment and the transactions
contemplated hereby as Agent may reasonably request; and
7.6 the
fact that the representations and warranties of Borrower and each
Guarantor contained in Article 5 of the Credit Agreement and
Section 8 of this Amendment shall
7
be true, correct and complete in all material respects on and as
of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date unless stated
to relate to a specific earlier date (in which case such
representations and warranties shall have been true, correct and
complete in all material respects on and as of such earlier date).
SECTION 8. Representations,
Covenants and Agreements . In order to induce the Lenders to
enter into this Amendment, Borrower and the Guarantors each
represents, warrants, covenants and agrees that:
8.1
Credit Agreement . The Credit Agreement, as amended hereby,
constitutes the valid, legal and binding obligation of Borrower and
such Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, is fully enforceable in
accordance with its terms and conditions.
8.2
Guaranty Agreements . The Guaranty Agreements constitute the
valid, legal and binding obligation of the Guarantors and such
Guaranty Agreements are fully enforceable in accordance with their
terms and conditions.
8.3
Security Agreement . On and as of the Fourth Amendment
Effective Date, the Security Agreement is effective to create in
favor of Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (as
defined in Schedule 1), a legal, valid and enforceable
security interest in the Collateral identified therein owned by
Borrower and Subsidiary Guarantors, and, when financing statements
in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate offices for the
locations specified in the schedules to the Security Agreement, the
Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien (subject
to Permitted Liens) on, and security interest in, all right, title
and interest of the grantors thereunder in such Collateral that may
be perfected by filing, recording or registering a financing
statement under the UCC as in effect, in each case prior and
superior in right to any other Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on
any Collateral.
8.4
Control Agreements . On and as of the Fourth Amendment
Effective Date, the Control Agreements constitute the valid, legal
and binding obligation of Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors
party thereto and are fully enforceable in accordance with their
terms and conditions.
8.5
Pledge Agreement . On and as of the Fourth Amendment
Effective Date, each Pledge Agreement is effective to create in
favor of Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a
legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral
identified therein, and, when such Collateral is delivered to
Agent, each Pledge Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected
first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on, and security
interest in, all right, title and interest of the pledgors
thereunder in such Collateral, in each case subject to no other
Lien (other than Permitted Liens).
8.6
Mortgages . On and as of the Fourth Amendment Effective
Date, the Mortgages granted pursuant to the terms of this Amendment
are effective to create in favor of Agent, for the ratable benefit
of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable Lien and
security interest in the Property identified therein owned by
Borrower and/or one or more Subsidiary Guarantors who are a party
thereto, and, when such Mortgages are filed in the appropriate
offices for the locations specified in such Mortgages, the
Mortgages shall constitute a
8
fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right,
title and interest of the grantors thereunder in such Property, in
each case prior and superior in right to any other Lien (other than
Permitted Liens).
8.7
Security . Borrower and the Guarantors are entering into the
Security Agreement, Control Agreements, Pledge Agreements and
Mortgages as consideration for the Lenders entering into this
Amendment and agreeing to make Loans and issue Facility L/Cs up to
the Borrowing Cap and to secure such Loans and Facility L/Cs up to
the Borrowing Cap and all other Obligations under the Loan
Documents.
8.8
Subordinated Notes . On and as of the Closing Date, the
Senior Subordinated Notes are the only Subordinated Notes issued
and outstanding. On and as of the Fourth Amendment Effectiveness
Date, the Amended Notes and the Exchanged Notes are the only
Subordinated Notes issued and outstanding.
8.9
Bond Resolution . On or before the Effectiveness Termination
Date, Borrower shall cause (i) the Bond Resolution Date to
occur or (ii) the Offering Memorandum and Exchange Indenture
to be executed and effective.
8.10
Continued Payment and Performance . Except as expressly
modified by this Amendment, Borrower and the Guarantors shall
continue to pay and perform their obligations herein and under the
Credit Agreement and the Guaranty Agreements in accordance with the
terms hereof and thereof and shall comply with each and every term,
provision and agreement contained herein and in the Credit
Agreement and the Guaranty Agreements.
8.11
No Default . Other than the Specified Defaults, no default
or event of default, nor any act, event, condition or circumstance
which with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both,
would constitute a default or an event of default, under the Credit
Agreement, the Guaranty Agreements or any other Loan Document has
occurred and is continuing on the date hereof.
8.12
Power and Authority . Borrower and the Guarantors each has
the power and authority to enter into this Amendment and the other
Loan Documents and to do all acts and things as are required or
contemplated hereunder or thereunder to be done, observed and
performed by it.
8.13
Enforceable Obligations . This Amendment has been duly
authorized, validly executed and delivered by one or more
authorized officers of Borrower and Guarantors and constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower and each Subsidiary
Guarantor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms,
subject to the effect, if any, of bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, arrangement or other similar laws relating to or
affecting the rights of creditors generally and the limitations, if
any, imposed by the general principles of equity and public policy.
8.14
Approvals; No Conflict . The execution and delivery of this
Amendment and the performance of Borrower and the Guarantors
hereunder does not and will not require the consent or approval of
any regulatory authority or governmental authority or agency having
jurisdiction over Borrower or the Guarantors, nor be in
contravention of or in conflict with the
9
articles of incorporation or bylaws of Borrower or the
Guarantors, as applicable, or the provision of any statute, or any
judgment, order or indenture, instrument, agreement or undertaking,
to which any of Borrower or the Guarantors is party or by which the
assets or properties of Borrower and the Guarantors are or may
become bound.
8.15
Resolutions . Within five (5) Business Days of the
Closing Date, the Agent shall receive any certificates and
resolutions of Borrower and each Guarantor described in
Section 7.4 which Agent did not require to be delivered on or
prior to the Closing Date in accordance with Section 7.4.
8.16
Legal Opinions . Within five (5) Business Days of the
Closing Date, Borrower shall cause to be delivered to Agent
opinions of counsel addressing due authorization, execution and
enforceability of this Amendment and such other matters relating to
this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby as Agent
may reasonably request by counsel to Borrower and Guarantors from
each jurisdiction in which such parties are organized.
8.17
Schedule 4.16 . On or before January 16, 2009,
Borrower shall cause to be delivered to Agent, each in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent, (a) Schedule 4.16 to the
Credit Agreement (as to be amended on the Fourth Amendment
Effective Date in accordance with Schedule 1 hereto) and
(b) a certificate executed by the Borrower which certifies
that such Schedule 4.16 includes a complete and accurate list,
as of the date of delivery, of the location, by state, county and
street address (if such street address is available) of all items
described in Section 4.16(b) (as set forth on Schedule 1
hereto). SECTION 9.
Reaffirmation . Borrower confirms, reaffirms and ratifies
its obligations contained in the Credit Agreement and any other
agreement or document relating to the Obligations. Borrower, on its
own behalf and on behalf of each of its affiliates, warrants and
represents to Agent and the Lenders that the Facility and the
Obligations and any and all other Obligations of Borrower or any
affiliate of Borrower to Agent and the Lenders, any affiliate of
Agent and the Lenders, or any predecessors in interest of Agent and
the Lenders or any affiliate of Agent and the Lenders, are not
subject to any credits, charges, claims, counterclaims, defenses,
or rights of offset or deduction of any kind or character
whatsoever. Each of the Guarantors hereby (a) consents to the
transactions contemplated by this Amendment and
(b) acknowledges and agrees that (i) the guarantees made
by such party contained in the Guaranty Agreements are, and shall
remain, in full force and effect after giving effect to this
Amendment and the amendments to the Credit Agreement contained
herein, and (ii) the obligations of each Guarantor pursuant to
the Guaranty Agreements are not subject to any reduction,
limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any
claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise of
any of the Obligations guaranteed thereunder, and shall not be
subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or
termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability of the Obligations guaranteed thereunder or
otherwise. SECTION 10. WAIVER
OF CLAIMS . EACH OF BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT EACH OF THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HAS ACTED IN GOOD FAITH AND
HAS CONDUCTED ITSELF IN A COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE MANNER IN ITS
RELATIONSHIPS WITH
10
BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AMENDMENT
AND IN CONNECTION WITH THE OBLIGATIONS AND THE CREDIT AGREEMENT,
BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS HEREBY WAIVING AND RELEASING ANY CLAIMS
TO THE CONTRARY. EACH OF BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS ON ITS OWN
BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH OF ITS AFFILIATES, RELEASES AND
DISCHARGES THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS, ALL AFFILIATES OF THE AGENT
AND THE LENDERS, ALL OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEYS AND
AGENTS OF THE AGENT AND THE LENDERS OR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES, AND
ALL OF THEIR PREDECESSORS IN INTEREST, FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS,
DEFENSES AND CAUSES OF ACTION, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN AND WHETHER
NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION,
ANY USURY CLAIMS, THAT HAVE AT ANY TIME BEEN OWNED, OR THAT ARE
HEREAFTER OWNED, IN TORT OR IN CONTRACT BY BORROWER, ANY GUARANTOR
OR ANY AFFILIATE OF BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR AND THAT ARISE OUT OF
ANY ONE OR MORE CIRCUMSTANCES OR EVENTS THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE
DATE OF THIS AMENDMENT. MOREOVER, EACH OF BORROWER AND THE
GUARANTORS, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF
OF EACH OF ITS AFFILIATES, WAIVES ANY AND ALL CLAIMS NOW OR
HEREAFTER ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO ANY DELAY BY THE AGENT AND THE
LENDERS IN EXERCISING ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
SECTION 11. Expenses and
Indemnification . Borrower agrees to pay upon demand, all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Agent and the
Lenders (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel) in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery
of this Amendment and in connection with the enforcement of the
Credit Agreement, this Amendment or any of the other Loan
Documents. Borrower, on its own behalf and on behalf of each of its
affiliates, agrees to indemnify Agent and the Lenders, their
officers, directors, employees, attorneys and agents, and all
affiliates of Agent and the Lenders and predecessors in interest of
Agent and the Lenders or any affiliate of Agent and the Lenders
(each an "Indemnified Party") and hold each Indemnified Party
harmless against all claims, losses, liabilities and expenses
(including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel but
excluding the allocated costs of internal counsel) arising from or
relating to the Facility, the Credit Agreement, the other Loan
Documents, this Amendment and any and all loans and other
transactions between Borrower or any affiliate of Borrower and any
Indemnified Party. The Guarantors each agree that the foregoing
obligations of Borrower shall be included in and shall constitute
part of the "Obligations" as defined in the Guaranty Agreements.
SECTION 12. Default;
Cross-Default . It shall be a default under this Amendment, and
an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement, the Guaranty
Agreements, all other Loan Documents and under any and all other
obligations of Borrower or the Guarantors, if: (a) any one or
more of them shall fail to comply with any of the terms of this
Amendment; (b) any one or more of them shall default under any
provision of the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to any
applicable notice or cure periods or materiality standards;
(c) any one or more of them shall default under any other
obligation to Agent or to any Lender, after giving effect to any
applicable
11
notice or cure periods or materiality standards; (d) any
entity either affiliated or under common control with Borrower or
the Guarantors shall be in default under any other agreement or
obligation to Agent or to any Lender or (e) the conditions set
forth in Section 2.2 are not satisfied by the Effectiveness
Termination Date. SECTION 13.
Waiver, Rights and Remedies . This Amendment shall not
prejudice any right or remedy of Agent or the Lenders and shall not
be deemed a waiver of any right or remedy, except with respect to
the Specified Defaults specifically described herein. Agent and the
Lenders expressly reserve all of the rights and remedies with
respect to any other present or future default or event of default
arising under the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation,
any failure to make any payment on the Obligations from and after
the date hereof, or failure to perform any other obligation of
Borrower or any other entity affiliated or under common control
with Borrower to Agent or the Lenders. This Amendment shall be
binding on, and inure to the benefit of, the parties and their
respective successors, heirs and assigns.
SECTION 14. Notice . Any
notice required to be given under this Amendment shall be given in
accordance with Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement. Borrower
hereby notifies all parties hereto that all notices to Borrower or
any Guarantor should be mailed transmitted or delivered to the
following address and not the address set forth in
Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement: 1405 Old Alabama Road,
Suite 200, Roswell, Georgia 30076, Attention of Kevin Abelson,
Vice President Finance (Telecopier No. (770) 642-1775;
Telephone No. (770) 998-9663 ext. 222), with a copy to 3751
Victoria Park Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M1W3Z4 Canada, Attention of
Seymour Joffe (Telecopier No. (416) 449-1073; Telephone No.
(416) 449-1340) and a copy to 3751 Victoria Park Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario M1W 3Z4 Canada, Attention of Harry Rosenbaum
(Telecopier No. (416) 449-6438; Telephone No. (416) 449-1340).
SECTION 15. Interpretation .
This Amendment shall be construed to liberally effectuate the
rights and remedies of the parties hereto as expressed herein, and
neither such principle of interpretation nor the express language
of this Amendment shall be impaired or adversely affected by any
instruments and documents executed in connection herewith. The
deletion of any provision from a prior draft of this Amendment
shall not and shall not be deemed to constitute (and shall not be
used as) evidence of any fact or interpretation, since the parties
may disagree as to the meaning and effect of such a deletion, and
no prior draft of this Amendment shall be admissible as evidence of
the meaning of this Amendment. Should any provision of this
Amendment, the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents require
judicial interpretation, it is agreed that a court interpreting or
construing same shall not apply a presumption that the terms hereof
shall be more strictly construed against one party by reason of the
rule of construction that a document is to be construed more
strictly against the party who itself or through its agent prepared
the same, it being agreed that all parties hereto have participated
in the preparation hereof and of the Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents. SECTION 16. No
Other Amendment . Except for the amendments set forth above,
the text of the Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full
force and effect. This Amendment is not intended to effect, nor
shall it be construed as, a novation. The Credit Agreement and this
Amendment shall be construed together as a single agreement.
Nothing herein contained shall waive, annul, vary or affect any
provision, condition, covenant or
12
agreement contained in the Credit Agreement, except as herein
amended or specifically waived with respect to the Specified
Defaults, nor affect nor impair any rights, powers or remedies
under the Credit Agreement as hereby amended. The Lenders and Agent
do hereby reserve all of their rights and remedies against all
parties who may be or may hereafter become secondarily liable for
the repayment of the Obligations. Borrower promises and agrees to
perform all of the requirements, conditions, agreements and
obligations under the terms of the Credit Agreement, as heretofore
and hereby amended. The Credit Agreement, as so amended, is hereby
ratified and affirmed. Borrower hereby expressly agrees that the
Credit Agreement, as amended, is in full force and effect.
SECTION 17. No Course of
Conduct . At no time shall the prior or subsequent course of
conduct by Borrower or Agent and the Lenders directly or indirectly
limit, impair or otherwise adversely affect any of the
parties’ rights or remedies in connection with this or any of
the instruments and documents executed in connection herewith,
since the parties hereto agree that this Amendment and the Credit
Agreement shall only be amended by written instruments executed by
the parties, as provided herein. To the extent that Agent and the
Lenders may have previously permitted Borrower to deviate from the
terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement, Borrower and the
Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that from the date of this
Amendment, Borrower shall be required and expected to strictly
comply with all terms and provisions of this Amendment and the
Credit Agreement and Agent and the Lenders intend to enforce the
terms and provisions of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement as
in effect on the date hereof as amended hereby.
SECTION 18. Limited
Relationships . Neither Agent, the Lenders nor any
representative of Agent or the Lenders at any time has agreed or
consented to being an agent, principal, business associate or
participant, joint venturer, partner or alter ego of any of
Borrower, the Guarantors or any of their affiliates, and no such
relationship is contemplated. No person except employees of Agent,
the Lenders and Agent’s and Lenders’ counsel has at any
time been directly or indirectly authorized by Agent or the Lenders
to directly or indirectly represent, speak or act for or on behalf
of Agent or the Lenders with respect to any matter whatsoever
related to, arising out of or connected with this Amendment or any
other matter or contract. SECTION 19.
ARM’S LENGTH AGREEMENT . BORROWER AND EACH GUARANTOR
EACH HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERED
INTO THIS AMENDMENT AFTER AN ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY AND SUFFICIENT
PERIOD OF TIME TO REVIEW, ANALYZE, AND DISCUSS: (I) ALL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AMENDMENT; (II) ANY AND ALL OTHER
DOCUMENTS EXECUTED AND DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AMENDMENT; AND (III) ALL
FACTUAL AND LEGAL MATTERS RELEVANT TO THIS AMENDMENT AND/OR ANY AND
ALL SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS, WITH COUNSEL FREELY AND INDEPENDENTLY
SELECTED BY BORROWER AND THE GUARANTORS. BORROWER AND THE
GUARANTORS EACH FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS
ACTIVELY AND WITH FULL UNDERSTANDING PARTICIPATED IN THE
NEGOTIATION OF THIS AMENDMENT AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS EXECUTED AND
DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AMENDMENT AFTER CONSULTATION AND
REVIEW WITH ITS COUNSEL, THAT ALL OF THE TERMS AND
13
CONDITIONS OF THIS AMENDMENT AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS EXECUTED
AND DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AMENDMENT HAVE BEEN
NEGOTIATED AT ARM’S-LENGTH, AND THAT THIS AMENDMENT AND ANY
AND ALL SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED, PREPARED, AND
EXECUTED WITHOUT FRAUD, DURESS, UNDUE INFLUENCE, OR COERCION OF ANY
KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER HAVING BEEN EXERTED BY OR IMPOSED UPON
ANY PARTY. SECTION 20.
Miscellaneous . Except as expressly amended by this
Amendment or some other instrument in writing, the Credit
Agreement, the Guaranty Agreements, the other Loan Documents and
any other agreement or document relating to the Obligations
evidenced by the Credit Agreement shall continue, unmodified and
unchanged. This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the
parties concerning the matters set forth herein and supersedes all
prior and contemporaneous agreements, written or oral, concerning
such matters. This Amendment may not be modified orally, and any
modification must be in writing, signed by the party to be bound.
The captions are inserted only for the convenience of the reader
and shall not be construed to interpret or modify the terms of the
Agreement. Time shall be of the essence with respect to all
obligations of Borrower and the Guarantors under the terms and
provisions of this Amendment. This Amendment shall be governed by
the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to its
conflicts of law principles and may be executed in multiple
counterparts but all of which shall constitute one agreement.
14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Amendment to be executed under seal as of the day and year first
above written.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BORROWER:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON WOODS USA, L.L.C., a Nevada limited
liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OWNER GUARANTORS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ELLY NEVADA, INC., a Nevada corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Harry Rosenbaum Harry Rosenbaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice President and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NORMAN NEVADA, INC., a Nevada corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Harry Rosenbaum Harry Rosenbaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice President and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LARRY NEVADA, INC., a Nevada corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Harry Rosenbaum Harry Rosenbaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice President and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BRUCE NEVADA, INC., a Nevada corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Harry Rosenbaum Harry Rosenbaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice President and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HARRY NEVADA, INC., a Nevada corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Harry Rosenbaum Harry Rosenbaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and Secretary
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEYMOUR NEVADA, INC., a Nevada corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Harry Rosenbaum Harry Rosenbaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice President and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LITTLE SHOTS NEVADA L.L.C., a Nevada
|
|
|
|
|
|
limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Harry Rosenbaum Harry Rosenbaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON ATLANTA RESIDENTIAL,
|
|
|
|
|
|
L.L.C., a Georgia limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON DALLAS RESIDENTIAL L.L.C., a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Texas limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON HOUSTON RESIDENTIAL L.L.C.,
|
|
|
|
|
|
a Texas limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON WOODS ARIZONA L.L.C., a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nevada limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON ORLANDO RESIDENTIAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
L.L.C., a Nevada limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON BURDEN, LLC, a Florida limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON TAMPA RESIDENTIAL LLC, a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nevada limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON DENVER RESIDENTIAL, LLC, a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nevada limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PINERY JOINT VENTURE, a Colorado joint venture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
Ashton Woods USA L.L.C., a Nevada limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
liability company, the member authorized to act on
its behalf
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON WOODS FINANCE CO., a Delaware
corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON WOODS ORLANDO LIMITED
|
|
|
|
|
|
PARTNERSHIP, a Florida limited partnership
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
Ashton Woods Lakeside L.L.C., a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nevada limited liability company, its general
partner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON WOODS CORPORATE, LLC, a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nevada limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON WOODS TRANSPORTATION,
|
|
|
|
|
|
LLC, a Georgia limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON WOODS CONSTRUCTION LLC,
|
|
|
|
|
|
an Arizona limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
Ashton Woods Arizona L.L.C.,
|
|
|
|
|
|
a Nevada limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON WOODS LAKESIDE L.L.C., a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nevada limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CANYON REALTY L.L.C., a Texas limited liability
company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASHTON BROOKSTONE, INC., a Texas corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Thomas C. Krobot Thomas C. Krobot
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OWNER GUARANTOR:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LITTLE SHOTS HOLDINGS L.L.C., a
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nevada limited liability company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Harry Rosenbaum Harry Rosenbaum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Manager
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSOCIATION, as Agent and a Lender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ R. Scott Holtzapple R. Scott
Holtzapple
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Director
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Richard Kaunter
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Richard Kaunter
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CITIBANK TEXAS, N.A. (Successor by
|
|
|
|
|
|
merger to Citibank Texas, N.A.), as a Lender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Rick Thompson Rick Thompson
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
VP Citibank, NA
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REGIONS BANK (Successor by merger to
|
|
|
|
|
|
AmSouth Bank), as a Lender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Daniel McClurkin Daniel McClurkin
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice President
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GUARANTY BANK, as a Lender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Linda Garcia
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Linda Garcia
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMERICA BANK, as a Lender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Laura L. Benson
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
Laura L. Benson
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice President
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KEY BANK, as a Lender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Virgil Hogan Virgil Hogan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
Vice President
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NATIONAL CITY BANK, as a Lender
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
Name:
|
|
/s/ Kevin Culp Kevin Culp
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
AVP
|
|
|
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST AMENDED AND
RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT]
Schedule 1 (Amendments to Credit Agreement ) and
Schedule 2 (Proposed Restructuring Term Sheet – Material
Terms) [See separate documents for Schedules] Exhibits J-1, J-2,
J-3, K, L-1, L-2 and M (Security Documents) [See separate documents
for Exhibits]
Schedule 1 On and as of the Fourth Amendment
Effective Date, the Credit
Agreement shall be amended as follows: Part A of
Schedule 1 The following definitions in
Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended and
restated in their entirety as follows:
"
Aggregate Commitment " shall mean the aggregate Commitments
of all the Lenders, as reduced or increased from time to time
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. As of the date of the
Fourth Amendment Closing Date, the Aggregate Commitment is
$95,000,000.
"
Applicable ABR Margin " shall mean, as at any date of
determination, six percent (6.00%).
"
Applicable Facility L/C Rate " shall mean, as at any date of
determination, six percent (6.00%).
"
Applicable LIBOR Margin " shall mean, as at any date of
determination, six percent (6.00%).
"
Borrowing Base " shall mean as at any date of determination
after the Interim Borrowing Period, an amount equal to the sum of
the following assets of Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor (but
only to the extent (v) such assets included in clauses (i),
(ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) of this definition, are
subject to an enforceable recorded Mortgage and the Mortgage
Requirements have been satisfied with respect to such assets,
(w) such assets are not subject to any Liens other than
Permitted Liens, (x) such assets are located within the
continental United States, (y) with respect to such assets, no
payment or other material default by Borrower or a Subsidiary
Guarantor in the payment or performance of any assessment district
obligations, special facility obligations or other similar
obligations has occurred and is continuing with respect to such
assets and (z) with respect to real estate assets, if any such
assets are subject to a purchase money mortgage otherwise permitted
in accordance with this Agreement in favor of a third party other
than Agent and such purchase money mortgage (A) is subordinate
to the Lien in favor of Agent with respect to such Collateral or
(B) is in effect prior to the Fourth Amendment Closing Date):
(i) the lesser of (a) twenty-five percent (25%) of the
Actual Costs for Unimproved Entitled Land and (b) twenty-five
percent (25%) of the Appraised Value for Unimproved Entitled Land,
plus (ii) the lesser of (a) forty-five percent (45%) of
the Actual Costs for Lots Under Development and (b) forty-five
percent (45%) of the Appraised Value for Lots Under
1
Development; provided , however , that any Lots
Under Development not sold or converted to Finished Lots within
twenty-four (24) months following the date that such Lots
Under Development were first included in the Borrowing Base as
"Lots Under Development" shall be excluded from the Borrowing Base;
provided , further , that any Lots Under Development,
which were not included in the Borrowing Base as Lots Under
Development on or prior to the Fourth Amendment Closing Date, shall
be excluded from this clause (ii) if either (1) no
development activity has occurred on such Lot Under Development for
nine (9) months or (2) such Lot Under Development is
Unimproved Entitled Land and is not being actively developed into a
Finished Lot within nine (9) months following the date that
such Unimproved Entitled Land was first included in the Borrowing
Base as a "Lot Under Development"; plus (iii) the lesser of
(a) fifty-five percent (55%) of the Actual Costs for Finished
Lots and (b) fifty-five percent (55%) of the Appraised Value for
Finished Lots, plus (iv) the least of (a) the Presold
Housing Unit Borrowing Base Percentage multiplied by the Actual
Costs for Presold Housing Units, (b) the Presold Housing Unit
Borrowing Base Percentage multiplied by the Appraised Value for
Presold Housing Units and (c) the Presold Housing Unit
Borrowing Base Percentage multiplied by the Contract Sale Price for
Presold Housing Units, plus (v) the lesser of (a) the
Model-Speculative Housing Unit Borrowing Base Percentage multiplied
by the Actual Costs for Speculative Housing Units and (b) the
Model-Speculative Housing Unit Borrowing Base Percentage multiplied
by the Appraised Value for Speculative Housing Units, plus
(vi) the lesser of (a) the Model-Speculative Housing Unit
Borrowing Base Percentage multiplied by the Actual Costs for Model
Housing Units and (b) the Model-Speculative Housing Unit
Borrowing Base Percentage multiplied by the Appraised Value for
Model Housing Units, plus (vii) one hundred percent (100%) of
Unrestricted Cash of Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor pledged to
Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement and held in a deposit
account subject to a Control Agreement.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (a) the amount calculated pursuant to clause
(i) of this definition shall not exceed at any time twenty
percent (20%) of the Borrowing Base, (b) the aggregate of
amounts calculated pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and
(iii) of this definition shall not exceed at any time
forty-five percent (45%) of the Borrowing Base, (c) the
aggregate amounts calculated pursuant to clauses (v) and
(vi) of this definition shall not exceed at any time forty
percent (40%) of the aggregate of the amounts calculated pursuant
to clauses (iv), (v) and (vi) of this definition,
(d) the amount calculated under this definition with respect
to Condo Units shall not exceed at any time twenty percent (20%) of
the Borrowing Base, (e) the amount of any Lien in favor of the
holders of a purchase money mortgage (other than Agent) shall be
deducted from the Borrowing Base, (f) not more than ten
percent (10%) of the individual Lots included in the Borrowing Base
shall have a purchase money mortgage in favor of a holder other
than Agent and (g) the contribution to the Borrowing Base of real
estate assets subject to a purchase money
2
mortgage in favor of a holder other than Agent shall not exceed
at any time five percent (5%) of the aggregate Borrowing Base.
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, no calculation of the Borrowing
Base nor requirements related to the Borrowing Base shall be
necessary prior to the end of the Interim Borrowing Period.
"
Finished Lot " means Entitled Land comprised of a fully
developed single-family residential lot with respect to which all
development and construction work has been completed (including
completion of all public or private roadways necessary to provide
sufficient access to such lot and completion of all water, sanitary
and storm sewer facilities in capacities sufficient for
single-family residential use) so that such lot is ready and of
sufficient size for a residence or condominium project to be
constructed thereon. The term "Finished Lot" shall not include any
land upon which the construction of a residential unit has
commenced or lots that fall under the definition of a Presold
Housing Unit and have all permitting necessary to commence
construction in place.
"
Loan Documents " shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the
Guaranty Agreements, the Security Documents, the Facility L/C
Applications, all other documents (if any) from time to time
executed and delivered by Borrower or a Guarantor that evidence,
secure or guarantee any of the Obligations, and any other document
or instrument delivered from time to time in connection with this
Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty Agreements, the Security
Documents, the Swingline Loans, the Revolving Credit Loans or the
Facility L/Cs, as such documents and instruments may be amended or
supplemented from time to time.
"
Lots Under Development " means all Unimproved Entitled Land
with respect to which Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor has
obtained all necessary approvals for its subdivision for
residential housing units (including condominium units), and which
Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor is actively developing into
Finished Lots, or which Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor
reasonably expects to begin development activity within a nine
(9) month period; provided, however, that the term "Lots Under
Development" shall not include any land upon which the construction
of a residential housing unit has commenced; provided, further
that, the term "Lots Under Development" shall not include any land
which is not actively being developed into Finished Lots within
nine (9) months after such land was included in the Borrowing Base
as "Lots Under Development".
"
Maximum Swingline Amount " shall mean Five Million Dollars
($5,000,000).
"
Permitted Liens " shall mean the following: (i) Liens
for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not
yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate
action; (ii) Liens in connection with worker’s
compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old
age pension or public liability obligations (other than any Lien
imposed by ERISA); (iii) Liens in favor of property
owners’ associations securing payment of assessments or other
charges; (iv) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, plats,
declarations of covenants, conditions and restrictions, condominium
declarations, or similar encumbrances on the use of real property
which do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of
Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor or materially detract from the
value of such real property; (v) Liens
3
in favor of a seller of Unimproved Entitled Land, Lots Under
Development or Finished Lots requiring Borrower or any Subsidiary
Guarantor to make a payment upon the future sale of such Unimproved
Entitled Land, Lots Under Development or Finished Lots in an amount
not to exceed five percent (5%) of the gross sales price or in the
case of profit sharing agreements an amount that is reasonable and
customary in the industry and market; (vi) Liens securing the
Obligations pursuant to the Security Documents; and (vii) any
Liens of mechanics, materialmen or material suppliers incurred in
the ordinary course of business if, with respect to any such Liens
securing Indebtedness that is past due, (A) such Liens are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which
adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been
established and as to which the property subject to any such Lien
is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof
or (B) a corresponding deduction is made to the Borrowing Base
Availability so as to deduct from the Borrowing Base Availability
the amount secured by any such Lien on any asset included in the
current Borrowing Base calculation.
"
Required Lenders " shall mean, at any particular time,
Lenders having at least 66-2/3% of the Aggregate Commitment or, if
the Aggregate Commitment has been terminated, Lenders having at
least 66-2/3% of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Loans
then outstanding; provided that the Commitment of, and the
portion of the Loans held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be
excluded for purposes of determining Required Lenders.
"
Secured Indebtedness " shall mean all Indebtedness of
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding Indebtedness owing
to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and excluding Indebtedness
created under this Agreement and owed to Agent or the Lenders
hereunder) that is (a) secured by a Lien on assets of Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or (b) supported by a guarantee of
Borrower or any Subsidiary (including without limitation purchase
money Indebtedness, Non-Recourse Indebtedness, obligations under
sale/leaseback transactions and obligations under Capital Leases)
and in either case is Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.9
hereof; provided, however, that Indebtedness under the Subordinated
Notes shall not be Secured Indebtedness solely by reason of clause
(b) of this definition.
"
Subordinated Notes " means the (i) 9.5% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2015 issued pursuant to the Indenture,
(ii) the Amended Notes, (iii) the Exchanged Notes and
(iv) any other notes, debentures or other similar instruments
issued by Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date of this
Agreement pursuant to either (x) a registered public offering
or (y) a private placement of such instruments in accordance
with an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of
1933 and/or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or similar law, and
which other notes, debentures or similar instruments meet the
following requirements:
(a)
the maturity date of such instruments must be a date which is the
later of (i) five (5) years from the date of issuance and
(ii) two (2) years after the Maturity Date;
(b)
such instruments must contain subordination and other provisions
and be subject to a subordination agreement, each satisfactory to
Agent in its sole discretion (including without limitation
standstill provisions and provisions requiring blockage of all
payments thereunder for a period of at least one hundred seventy
nine (179) days upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default;
4
(c)
such instruments are unsecured;
(d)
such instruments shall not permit any cash interest or principal
payments prior to the indefeasible payment in full of the
Obligations and termination of the Commitments;
(e)
such instruments shall not contain any covenants;
(f)
such instruments shall not contain any cross default to a Default
under any of the Loan Documents;
(g)
any other terms, provisions and events of default contained in such
instruments (or in any agreement or indenture under which such
instruments are issued) must be less restrictive, taken as a whole,
than the covenants, terms, provisions and events of default in this
Agreement, as determined by Agent in its sole discretion;
(h)
the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Subordinated
Notes pursuant to this clause (iv) shall not exceed
$50,000,000.00 at any time; and
(i)
all terms and conditions shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
prior review and approval of Agent.
"
Unimproved Entitled Land " means Entitled Land which is
zoned to permit single-family residential development (attached or
detached) as a use by right (or comparable classification under
local law).
5
Part B of Schedule 1 The following
definitions shall be added to Section 1.1 of the Credit
Agreement in alphabetical order:
" Amended Notes " shall have
the meaning set forth in the Fourth Amendment.
" Appraisal " shall mean a
FIRREA-conforming appraisal, in form and substance satisfactory to
Agent, prepared by an MAI appraiser satisfactory to Agent which
reflects a valuation for the real property in question in
accordance with the following requirement:
(a) with respect to Unimproved
Entitled Land, such appraisal shall value such Unimproved Entitled
Land on an "as is" basis;
(b) with respect to Lots, such
appraisal shall be based on an "as is" basis;
(c) with respect to any Model
Housing Unit, such appraisal shall be based on the fair market
value of individual Housing Units as offered for sale; and
(d) with respect to any
Speculative Housing Unit or any Presold Housing Unit, such
appraisal shall be based on (i) the fair market value of Model
Housing Units in the related project, if available, with adjustment
for all Improvements included in such Speculative Housing Unit or
Presold Housing Unit but which are not included in the applicable
Model Housing Units, or, (ii) if the fair market value of
Model Housing Units in the related project is not available to be
calculated in clause (i), the fair market value of such Speculative
Housing Unit or any Presold Housing Unit including all
Improvements. " Appraised
Value " shall mean with respect to any Entitled Land, any Lots,
any Model Housing Unit, any Speculative Housing Unit or any Presold
Housing Unit, the sum of (a) the appraised value of such
Entitled Land, Lots, Model Housing Unit, Speculative Housing Unit
or Presold Housing Unit as determined by an Appraisal meeting the
requirements for an Appraisal set forth in the definition of the
term "Appraisal", plus (b) the amount that Borrower or any
Subsidiary Guarantor has actually expended (to the extent such
expenditures shall ultimately constitute costs of sales in
accordance with GAAP) for the development and construction of such
Lots, Model Housing Units, Speculative Housing Units and Presold
Housing Units since the date of the applicable Appraisal referred
to in clause (a) hereof. "
Bond Resolution " shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3 of the Fourth Amendment.
" Borrower and Subsidiary Pledge
Agreement " shall mean the Borrower and Subsidiary Pledge
Agreement dated as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date executed
by Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor in favor of Agent, for
the ratable benefit of Lenders, substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit L-1, as modified, amended, supplemented or
restated from time to time. "
Borrowing Cap " shall mean $62,100,000.
6
" Collateral " shall mean,
collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed property
(including capital stock) in which Liens are purported to be
granted pursuant to the Security Documents as security for the
Obligations. " Control
Agreement " shall mean any control agreement executed by
Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, Agent and the depository
institution in which cash or Cash Equivalents of Borrower or any
Subsidiary Guarantor are being held in a deposit account which
control agreement is substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit M, as modified, amended, supplemented or restated from
time to time, all in form and substance satisfactory to Agent.
" Contract Sale Price " means
the sales price reflected in any agreement of sale satisfying the
requirements for an agreement of sale described in the definition
of "Presold Housing Unit", as such sales price may be adjusted in
accordance with the terms of such agreement of sale.
" Defaulting Lender " means,
as of any date, any Lender that has (a) failed to make a Loan
required to be made by it hereunder, (b) given notice to Agent
or Borrower that it will not make, or that it has disaffirmed or
repudiated any obligation to make, any Loan hereunder (unless such
notice is given by all Lenders) or (c) been deemed insolvent
or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
" Entitled Land " shall mean
Land owned 100% by Borrower or by any Subsidiary Guarantor in fee
simple with respect to which (i) all requisite zoning
requirements and land use requirements for such Land’s then
current use and state of development have been satisfied and
(ii) Borrower has sole control and management rights.
"Entitled Land" shall include all Unimproved Entitled Land, Lots
Under Development and Finished Lots.
" Exchange Indenture " shall
have the meaning set forth in the Fourth Amendment.
" Exchanged Notes " shall have
the meaning set forth in the Fourth Amendment.
" FIRREA " means the Financial
Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, as
amended from time to time. "
Fourth Amendment " shall mean the Fourth Amendment to First
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13,
2009, by and among Borrower, Lenders party thereto and Agent.
" Fourth Amendment Closing
Date " shall mean January 13, 2009.
" Fourth Amendment Effective
Date " shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 of
the Fourth Amendment. " Interim
Borrowing Period " shall mean the period from the Fourth
Amendment Effective Date until such time as all Mortgage
Requirements have been satisfied with respect to substantially all
of the real property assets of Borrower and the Subsidiary
Guarantors.
7
" Model-Speculative Housing
Unit Borrowing Base Percentage " shall mean sixty-five percent
(65%), unless (i) Presold Housing Unit Borrowing Base
Percentage is being calculated as set forth herein as eighty
percent (80%) and (ii) the Borrowing Base (calculated with the
Presold Housing Unit Borrowing Base Percentage as 80% and the
Model-Speculative Housing Unit Borrowing Base Percentage as 65%) is
less than $95,000,000, in which case "Model-Speculative Housing
Unit Borrowing Base Percentage shall mean seventy percent (70%).
" Mortgage Requirements "
shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.17(e).
" Mortgages " shall mean,
collectively, the mortgages securing the Obligations executed from
time to time by Borrower and any Subsidiary Guarantor in favor of
Agent, which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit J-1, Exhibit J-2 or J-3, as applicable, with such
changes as shall be required to conform each such Mortgage to the
applicable laws and customary practices of any other state in which
each such Mortgage is to be recorded, all in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent, and as the same may be modified, amended,
supplemented or restated from time to time.
" New Equity " shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2 of the Fourth Amendment.
" New Subsidiary " means
(i) each new Subsidiary (which is not a Subsidiary of Borrower
on the date of this Agreement) of Borrower, (ii) any
Subsidiary of Borrower formed or acquired after the date of this
Agreement and (iii) any Subsidiary of Borrower existing on the
Closing Date but which is not a Guarantor if such Subsidiary at any
time owns assets having an aggregate value in excess of $250,000.
" Owner Guarantor Pledge
Agreement " shall mean the Owner Guarantor Pledge Agreement
dated as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date executed by Little
Shots, which has approximately an 80% ownership interest in
Borrower, in favor of Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit L-2, as
modified, amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
" Permitted Holders " shall
mean (1)(a) Elly Nevada, Inc., (b) Norman Nevada, Inc., (c)
Larry Nevada, Inc., (d) Little Shots Nevada, L.L.C.,
(e) Elly Colorado, Inc., (f) Norman Colorado, Inc.
(g) Larry Colorado, Inc. and (h) Little Shots Holdings
LLC; (2) any equityholder, general partner or managing member
of any of the Persons referenced above in clause (1); (3) any
officer, director, employee, member, partner or equityholder of the
manager or general partner of any of the Persons referenced above
in clauses (1) and (2); (4) the spouses and descendants
of the Persons referenced in clause (2); (5) in the event of
the incompetence or death of any of the Persons referred to in
clause (2) and (3) above, such Person’s estate,
executor, administrator, committee or other personal
representative, in each case who at a particular date shall be the
beneficial owner of or have the right to acquire, directly or
indirectly, capital stock of Borrower (or any other direct or
indirect parent company of Borrower); and (6) any trust
created for the benefit of, or any entity or entities wholly-owned
by, the Persons referenced above in clauses (1) through
(5).
8
" Plans and Specifications
" shall mean the final architectural and civil plans and
specifications, including without limitation all maps, sketches,
diagrams, surveys, drawings and lists of materials, for the
development of the Land. " Pledge
Agreements " shall mean the Borrower and Subsidiary Pledge
Agreement and the Owner Guarantor Pledge Agreement.
" Presold Housing Unit Borrowing
Base Percentage " shall mean seventy percent (70%), unless the
Borrowing Base (calculated with the Presold Housing Unit Borrowing
Base Percentage as 70% and the Model-Speculative Housing Unit
Borrowing Base Percentage as 65%) is less than $95,000,000, in
which case "Presold Housing Unit Borrowing Base Percentage" shall
mean eighty percent (80%). "
Release Consideration " shall have the meaning ascribed
thereto in Section 6.18(f). "
Restructuring Owners " shall mean the holders of the 9.5%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 issued pursuant to the Indenture
as of the Fourth Amendment Closing Date obtaining a direct
ownership or equity interest in Borrower in connection with the
Bond Resolution which such aggregate direct ownership or equity
interests in Borrower do not exceed 20% of the ownership or equity
interests in Borrower. " Secured
Parties " shall mean the Lenders, Agent and any affiliate of a
Lender which affiliate of such Lender enters into a Interest Rate
Contract with Borrower or any Guarantor.
" Security Agreement " shall
mean the Security Agreement among Borrower, the Subsidiary
Guarantors and Agent, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit K, as modified, amended, supplemented or restated from
time to time. " Security
Documents " shall mean the Security Agreement, Pledge
Agreements, the Mortgages, any Control Agreements, any UCC
financing statements, and any other documents pursuant to which
Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall grant a Lien to Agent to
secure the Obligations, as the same may be modified, amended,
supplemented or restated from time to time.
9
Part C of Schedule 1 The following
definitions shall be deleted from Section 1.1 of the Credit
Agreement:
|
|
•
|
|
Adjusted Tangible Net Worth
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
|
Applicable Unused Fee Rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
|
Level
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
|
Leverage Ratio
|
10
Part D of Schedule 1 The following Sections
of the Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in their
entirety: 2.1
Commitments. (a) Each
Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, to make Revolving Credit Loans to Borrower from time to
time during the Commitment Period, and to purchase undivided
interests and participations in Facility L/Cs in accordance with
Section 2.16 hereof, in an aggregate principal amount of
Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender and of such
Lender’s Ratable Share of the Facility L/C Obligations not to
exceed at any time outstanding the amount set forth in
Schedule 1 hereto (such Lender’s obligations to make
Revolving Credit Loans and to purchase undivided interests and
participations in Facility L/Cs in accordance with
Section 2.16 hereof in such amounts, as reduced, increased or
otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, being herein referred to as such Lender’s
"Commitment"), subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 2.1(b), Section 2.1(c) and Section 2.1(d)
hereof. (b) After the Interim
Borrowing Period, no Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan shall
be made, nor shall any Facility L/C be issued, that would have the
effect of increasing the then outstanding amount of the Borrowing
Base Indebtedness to an amount exceeding the Borrowing Base as of
the most recent Inventory Valuation Date, provided that a Revolving
Credit Loan shall not be deemed to have increased the amount of the
Borrowing Base Indebtedness if, and only to the extent that, the
proceeds of such Revolving Credit Loan are immediately used to
repay a Swingline Loan. (c) No
Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan shall be made, nor shall
any Facility L/C be issued if, prior to or after giving effect to
such requested Loan or Facility L/C, the Unrestricted Cash of
Borrower exceeds $5,000,000 for more than three
(3) consecutive Business Days.
(d) No Revolving Credit Loan or
Swingline Loan shall be made, nor shall any Facility L/C be issued
during the Interim Borrowing Period if, prior to or after giving
effect to such requested Loan or Facility L/C, the Aggregate
Outstanding Credit Exposure exceeds the Borrowing Cap.
(e) No Revolving Credit Loans
shall be made at any time that any Swingline Loan is outstanding,
except for Revolving Credit Loans that are used, in whole or in
part, on the day on which made, to repay in full the outstanding
principal balance of the Swingline Loans. During the Commitment
Period and as long as no Default or Event of Default exists,
Borrower may borrow, prepay in whole or in part and reborrow
Revolving Credit Loans, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof. (f) Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the
limitations on the availability of LIBOR Rate Loans and including
the termination of the Aggregate Commitment as set forth in
Article 9 hereof), the Revolving Credit Loans may from time to
time
11
be (i) LIBOR Rate Loans, (ii) ABR Loans, or
(iii) a combination thereof, as determined by Borrower and
notified to Agent in accordance with Section 2.3 hereof,
provided that no Revolving Credit Loan shall be made as a LIBOR
Rate Loan after the day that is one month prior to the last day of
the Commitment Period. 2.3
Procedure for Borrowing .
(a) Borrower may borrow under
the Commitments (subject to the limitations on the availability of
LIBOR Rate Loans), during the Commitment Period, provided Borrower
shall give Agent written notice (the "Notice of Borrowing"), which
Notice of Borrowing must be received (i) prior to 11:00 a.m.,
Charlotte, North Carolina time, at least three (3) Business
Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date for any borrowing of
LIBOR Rate Loans, or (ii) prior to 10:00 a.m., Charlotte,
North Carolina time on or before the requested Borrowing Date for
any borrowing of ABR Loans, which Notice of Borrowing shall be
irrevocable. Each Notice of Borrowing shall specify (A) the
Borrowing Date (which shall be a Business Day), (B) the amount
of the requested borrowing and(C) whether the borrowing is to be of
LIBOR Rate Loans or ABR Loans. Each borrowing pursuant to the
Commitments shall be in the principal amount (1) in the case
of ABR Loans, of $1,000,000 or any larger amount which is an even
multiple of $100,000, and (2) in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans,
of $10,000,000 or any larger amount which is an even multiple of
$1,000,000. (b) Subject to
satisfaction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each
Lender shall deposit funds with Agent for the account of Borrower
by 2:00 p.m. Charlotte, North Carolina time on the Borrowing Date
by wire transfer or other immediately available funds equal to its
Ratable Share of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on the
Borrowing Date. The Loan(s) will then promptly be made available to
Borrower by Agent crediting the account of Borrower on the books of
Agent with the aggregate amounts made available to Agent by
Lenders, and in like funds as received by Agent.
(c) Each Lender may book its
Loans and its participations in Facility L/Cs at any Lending Office
selected by such Lender and may change its Lending Office from time
to time. All terms of this Agreement shall apply to any such
Lending Office and the Loans and the Notes issued hereunder shall
be deemed held by each Lender for the benefit of any such Lending
Office. Each Lender and LC Issuer may, by written notice to Agent
and Borrower in accordance with Section 11.2 hereof, designate
replacement or additional Lending Offices through which Loans will
be made by it or Facility L/Cs will be issued by it and for whose
account Loan payments or a payment with respect to Facility L/Cs
are to be made. (d) Each ABR
Loan shall continue as an ABR Loan unless and until such ABR Loan
is converted into a LIBOR Rate Loan pursuant to Section 3.1
hereof or is repaid in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.
Each LIBOR Rate Loan shall continue as a LIBOR Rate Loan until the
end of the then applicable Interest Period therefor, at which time
such LIBOR Rate Loan shall be automatically converted into an ABR
Loan unless (x) such LIBOR Loan is or was repaid in accordance
with Section 2.11 hereof or (y) such LIBOR Rate Loan is
continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan in accordance with Section 3.1
hereof.
12
(e) Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, Borrower may submit no more than
one (1) Notice of Borrowing in any one business week.
2.4 Unused Fee . Borrower
agrees to pay to Agent for the benefit of each Lender an unused fee
(the "Unused Fee") for the Commitment Period, computed at 0.55% per
annum on the average daily unused amount of each Lender’s
Commitment during the Commitment Period, payable quarterly in
arrears and due on each Quarterly Payment Date and on the last day
of the Commitment Period, commencing on the first of such dates to
occur after the date of this Agreement. For purposes of determining
the unused portion of the Aggregate Commitment and the unused
portion of a Lender’s Commitment hereunder, the Aggregate
Commitment shall be deemed used to the extent of the aggregate face
amount of the outstanding Facility L/Cs and Revolving Credit Loans
and such Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed used to the
extent of such Lender’s Ratable Share of the aggregate face
amount of the outstanding Facility L/Cs and Revolving Credit Loans
made by such Lender. For purposes of determining the Unused Fee
payable to a Swingline Lender, its Swingline Loans shall be treated
as usage of its Commitment. 2.5
Interest; Default Interest .
(a) Except as provided in
Section 2.5(b) hereof, (i) the Revolving Credit Loans
shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof at a
rate per annum equal to (y) in the case of ABR Loans, the
Alternate Base Rate in effect from time to time, plus the
Applicable ABR Margin in effect for such day, and (z) in the
case of LIBOR Rate Loans, the LIBOR Rate determined for the
Interest Period applicable thereto, plus the Applicable LIBOR
Margin in effect on the first day of such Interest Period, and
(ii) the Swingline Loans shall bear interest on the unpaid
principal amount thereof at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate
Base Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable ABR
Margin in effect for such day, plus 0.25%.
(b) If all or a portion of the
principal amount of any of the Revolving Credit Loans made
hereunder (whether as ABR Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans or a
combination thereof) or the Swingline Loans or any installment of
interest on any Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan or any
Unused Fee or Facility L/C Fee shall not be paid when due (whether
at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise and after any
applicable opportunity to cure), any such overdue principal amount
and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any overdue
installment of interest on any Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline
Loan or any overdue payment of Unused Fee or Facility L/C Fee
hereunder shall, without limiting any other rights of Lenders, bear
interest at a rate per annum which is the sum of the Alternate Base
Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable ABR Margin,
plus four percent (4%), from the date of such non-payment until
paid in full (before, as well as after, judgment); provided,
however, if all or any portion of any principal on any Revolving
Credit Loan made as a LIBOR Rate Loan hereunder shall not be paid
when due and the then current Interest Period for such LIBOR Rate
Loan has not yet expired, the entire principal amount of such LIBOR
Rate Loan and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any
overdue installment of interest on such LIBOR Rate Loan shall,
without limiting any other rights of Lenders, bear interest at a
rate per annum which is the sum of four percent (4%) plus the
applicable non-default interest rate (which is the sum of the
applicable LIBOR Rate and the Applicable LIBOR Margin) on such
LIBOR Rate Loan then in effect from the date of such non-payment
until the expiration of the then current Interest Period with
respect to such LIBOR Rate Loan (before, as well as after,
judgment); thereafter, the entire principal
13
amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan and, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, any overdue installment of interest on such LIBOR
Rate Loan
|