Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

2020

or

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

For the transition period from ________ to _________

Commission File Number: 000-53300001-38493

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EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

Delaware

98-0681092

(State or other jurisdiction

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

Identification No.)

2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301

Bellingham, WA98226

(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (360) (360) 685-4206

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchangedexchange on which registered

NoneCommon Stock, par value $0.00001 per share

N/AEXPI

NASDAQ

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

Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes [_]    No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes [_]    No [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X]    No [_]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes [X]    No [_]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

Yes [_]    No [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one).Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has selectedelected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [_]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes [_]    No [X]

TheBased on the registrant’s closing price of $17.05 as quoted on the NASDAQ on June 30, 2020, the aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity held by non-affiliates of eXp World Holdings, Inc. was approximately $204,027,200 based on 18,023,604 shares of common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2018, being $11.32 per share.

$493.3 million.

The number of shares of the registrant'sregistrant’s $0.00001 par value common stock outstanding as of March 10,January 29, 2021 was 144,343,659.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The registrant intends to file a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. Portions of such proxy statement are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10‑K. Portions of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 60,978,604.are incorporated into Part I, Item 1, and Part II, Item 7, of this Form 10-K.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Page1

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

PART 1

Item 1.

Business

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

16 

Item 2.

Properties

16 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

16 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

16 

2

PART IIItem 1.

Business

16 

2

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

8

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

19

Item 2.

Properties

19

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

19

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

19

PART II

20

Item 5

.

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

16 

20

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data (Reserved)

17 

21

Item 7.

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

19 

21

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

27 

32

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

27 

34

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

52 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

52 

Item 9B.

Other Information

56 

61

PART IIIItem 9A.

Controls and Procedures

56 

61

Item 10.9B.

Other Information

64

PART III

65

Item 10.

Directors, Executives, Officers and Corporate Governance

61 

65

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

65

Item 12.

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

65

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

67 

65

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

68 

66

PART IV

69 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement and Schedules

69 

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

70 

SIGNATURESPART IV

70 

67

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

67

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

68

SIGNATURES

69

i

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

1


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report and our other public filings containscontain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements giveare not based on historical facts but rather represent current expectations or forecastsand assumptions of future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Many of these risks and other factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “potential”“potential,” “seek,” “goal” and similar expressions to future periods. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather represent current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements include statements we make about matters such as: future revenues; future industry market conditions; future changes in our capacity and operations; future operating and overhead costs; operational and management restructuring activities (including implementation of methodologies and changes in the board of directors); future employment and contributions of personnel; tax and interest rates; capital expenditures and their impact on us; productivity, business process, rationalization, investment, acquisition, consulting, operational, tax, financial and capital projects and initiatives; contingencies; changes in the regulatory environment; and future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth.

Forward-looking statements relate to the future and are subject to manyexpressions. These risks assumptions and uncertainties, including thoseas well as other risks described in Part I, Item IA Risk Factors. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results, developments and business decisions could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The environment for which we operate in is highly competitive and rapidly changing and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, as new risks emerge from time to time.

While no list of uncertainties could be complete, some factors that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, are described in greater detail in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” and Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures – Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls”.

Forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial and market information and are inherently uncertain. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from those in thesuch forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation: current and future business and economic uncertainties may adversely affect our revenues, profitability and financial condition; changes in the residential mortgage markets and housing markets may adversely affect our earnings and financial condition; our earnings may decrease because of increases or decreases in interest rates;; our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by new government regulations; potential inability to attract and retain skilled personnel, including real estate agents, could harm our business; we may pursue strategic opportunities which could result in operating difficulties or dilution; assertions of claims, lawsuits and proceedings against us could harm our business, results of operations and reputation; and changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies and regulations that impact the real estate market. 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors.statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

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PART I

Item 1. BUSINESS

Overview

BUSINESS

eXp World Holdings, Inc. (the(“eXp”, or, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”;, “we”, “us”, or “eXp”“our”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on July 30, 2008. The Company owns and operates its main operating division which is a cloud-based international residential real estate brokerage (“eXp Realty”). We focus our operations on the development and usea technology platform business that enables a variety of cloud-based technologies in orderbusinesses to grow an international brokerage without the burden of physical brick and mortar offices or redundant staffing costs. 

Operations

We launched our operation in October 2009 with a small number ofoperate remotely. Our real estate agents in two statesbrokerage is now one of the largest and ended the fiscal year 2018 with a team of over 15,500fastest growing real estate professionals, operating across all ofbrokerage companies in the United States by agent count, and recently began to expand internationally. Our technology platform business develops and uses immersive technologies that enable and support virtual workplaces. This unique enabling platform helps businesses increase their effectiveness and reduce costs from operating in traditional “brick and mortar” office spaces.

The following are changes in our business in the most recent fiscal year:

Real Estate Brokerage – In addition to our operations throughout the United States of America (U.S.), the United Kingdom (U.K.), Australia, and most of the Canadian provinces, of Alberta, British Columbiawe expanded operations into South Africa, Portugal, France, Mexico, and Ontario, Canada.India during 2020. Except for certain employees who hold active real estate licenses, virtually all of our real estate professionals are independent contractorscontractors.

In November 2020, we launched eXp Commercial, LLC and its subsidiaries within the commercial real estate brokerage space in the U.S. Our commercial real estate brokerage operations are currently in a nascent state.

Technology Products and Services On July 31, 2020, the Company acquired the equity ownership interests in Showcase Web Sites, L.L.C. (“Showcase”) for cash consideration and promissory notes. Showcase is a technology company focused on agent website and consumer real estate portal technology. With this acquisition, the Company will be able to strategically focus on creating consumer home-search technology for utilization by our independent agents and brokers, as well as continued services offerings to third party clients of Showcase.

In addition to servicing their current customer bases, our technology products and services businesses are integral to the support, growth, and development of our real estate brokerage operations.

Multimedia Personal Development Products and Services – On December 4, 2020, the Company acquired the equity ownership interests in Success Enterprises LLC (“Success”) and its related media properties, including SUCCESS® print magazine, SUCCESS.com, SUCCESS® newsletters, podcasts, digital training courses and affiliated social media accounts across platforms for cash consideration. With the addition of Success, the Company intends to blend its technology and content to enhance the personal development platform for entrepreneurs and sales professionals.

Details regarding the development of our businesses prior to 2020 are incorporated by reference herein from Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 12, 2020 (Commission File No. 001-38493).

Operations and Revenue Streams

Our operations support the purchase and sale of homes through leveraging innovative technologies and integrated services.

In our current state, almost all of our revenue and profit or loss are generated by our cloud-based real estate brokerage and wholly-owned subsidiary, eXp Realty, LLC (“eXp Realty”). Because we do not have significant standalone contributions of revenue and profit or loss from our employees.other businesses, we operate and manage the Company as one business unit. In the future, we believe there is strong potential for multiple significant revenue and profit opportunities that may be organized into distinct business units in order to increase our management effectiveness. Over the long term, we envision owning and operating a diversified portfolio of service based businesses whose operations benefit substantially from utilizing our enabling technology platform.

Within the Company today, we strategically prioritize our efforts to grow our real estate brokerage, develop immersive and cloud-based technology products and services, nurture affiliated services (and our Preferred Partner Program) related to real estate transactions, and strengthen and iterate on our enabling technology platform.

eXp Realty

eXp Realty is a leading, rapidly growing, cloud-based international real estate brokerage company. We disrupt from within the traditional real estate markets in which we operate for the benefit of agents and brokers through innovation, use of cloud-based technology, and development of world-class agent and broker attraction and retention practices. We generate revenue primarily by serving as a licensed broker for the purpose of processing residential real estate transactions, from which we earn commissions. The Company in turn pays a portion of the commissions earned to the real estate agents and brokers.

Our mission is to deliver maximum value to our shareholders, agents, brokers and staff, while building an international brand as the leading cloud-based brokerage. Our cloud-based solutions provide primarily residential real estate agents and brokers the collaborative

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tools to seamlessly support and facilitate buying and selling activities by consumers throughout the home purchase process. Our model is designed to:

Provide the opportunity for homebuyers to successfully experience home ownership and for homeowners to realize the best outcomes possible through the sale of their homes. Our licensed agents and brokers primarily use our proprietary cloud-based transaction processing and home search and tour tools to help homebuyers find, visit and close on the house that meets their needs, and to help homeowners efficiently market and sell their homes without the effort—and additional costs—associated with the typical home selling process.
Provide a business opportunity for our agents and brokers. We provide an entrepreneurial business opportunity for individuals to aid in the purchase and sale of residential homes. Low entry fees as well as the ability to select their own schedules and time commitments allow our agents and brokers to supplement their income by starting their own independent businesses without leaving their current jobs, while also proving opportunities for strong leaders to build their own agency teams and grow under our brokerage brand on a full-time basis. Our compensation structure (fees and share-based), technology, sales support and back-office processing are designed to enable agents and brokers to successfully grow their independent businesses without the fixed costs inherent with a traditional brick-and-mortar brokerage.
Provide stock ownership opportunities for our agents and brokers. Through our agent equity programs, our agents and brokers have a unique choice to attain a greater vested interest in eXp through the acceptance of equity awards in the Company’s stock as part of their compensation packages. These programs allow successful agents and brokers to become stakeholders in the brand they represent and align our goals across the distribution network.

Brokerage Offices and Services in Our Virtual World

We operate over the internet through our website, http://exprealty.com and rely on a cloud-based platformtechnologies to provide our residential real estate brokerage services. Through our website,various platforms, buyers can search real-time property listings, and sellers list properties and gain exposure across the various geographic markets in which we operate. We also provide buyers and sellers access to a network of professional, consumer-centric agents and brokers. Additionally, we deliver marketing, training and other support services to our brokers and agents through a combination of proprietary technology enabled services, as well as technology and support services contracted to third parties. Our brokers and agents leverage our technology, services, data, lead generation and marketing tools to represent residential real estate buyers and sellers to list, find and consummate the purchase or sale of a home.

Internally, we use our technology to provide agents, teams of agents, and brokerage owners with opportunities for increased profitability, reduced risk, and greater levels of professional development while fostering an organizational culture that values collaboration, strength of community, and commitment to serving the consumer’s best interests. We provide agents, teams of agents, and brokers with the systems, support, professional development and infrastructure to help them survive and then thrive in unpredictable and, at times, challenging economic conditions. This includes delivering 24/7 access to collaborative tools and training for real estate agents and brokers.

We have adopted a number of cloud-based technologies. Among the technologies we use to operate our business, is our 3D, fully-immersive, cloud office, complex which has virtual conference rooms, training centers, and individual offices in which our management, staff, agents and brokers all work on a daily basis learning from, sharing with, transacting business with, and socializing with their colleagues from different geographic regions by utilizing avatars. In these virtual spaces agents and brokers meet for state-based sales meetings, attend live interactive trainingtrainings and classes, go over commission disbursement authorization forms, build websites and online branding materials, and work on purchase and sales agreements. Moreover,

Further, in these virtual spaces new managing brokers are evaluated and approved, our management meets to discuss strategy and vision, and personnel interviews occur.are conducted. In addition, we have face-to-face meetings, conferences, presentations, retreats and other physical interactions where circumstances warrant.

We also provide physical space to brokers and agents when they need it through a relationshiprequired, primarily with Regus, which providesthird party providers with access to offices, work spaceworkspace and meeting rooms at Regus locations worldwide. Furthermore, our

Our cloud office has a fully-staffed transaction and administration, office, and a fully-staffed web development, search engine optimization and technical support office. Our cloud office provides agents, teams of agents and brokers with training, education, coaching, mentoring, transaction support, broker support, and technical support.teams. Consequently, our cloud office serves as our primary company office for brokers, agents, management and staff and the cloudprovides agents, teams of agents and brokers with a full suite of back office has also eliminated redundant staffing costs.functions, live training, education, coaching and mentoring that places a premium on engagement, discussion and collaboration, transaction support, broker support, and technical support. The utilization of this cloud office platform permits us to more easily serve and extend our entire geographic reach.

We also serve real estate agents, teams of agents, and real estate brokers by providing a full suite of back office functions ranging from paperless file sharing and transaction management, web design, social media, digital campaigns, customer relationship management platforms, business coaching, tech support, and live training that places a premium on engagement, discussion and collaboration.

Furthermore, we allow our agents and brokers, some of whom are former real estate brokerage owners, to leverage our infrastructure to reduce their fixed costs and to be empowered to build scalable teams of agents in any of the markets that we serve while preserving and

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enhancing the agents and brokers’ personal brands. In this way our agents and brokers can attract agents and build a co-brand in any markets currently served by the Company without any additional capital requirements.

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Agent and Broker Training and Communication

eXp Realty has held firm in its belief that each individual agent delivers value to individual home buyers and sellers in different ways depending upon the knowledge, skills or niche of the agent and the needs and wants of the consumer. Consumers work with agents because of their skills and service individually and generally place greater weight on those individual skill sets, service levels and style than they do on the brokerage brand with which the agent is affiliated.

Numerous real estate coaches provide training and classes to brokerages on a vendor basis or to individual agents outside of their brokerage relationship in the most cost-effective way to strengthen their skills and help them succeed. eXp Realty is working to develop a model and infrastructure for an internal coaching program which approaches the relationship between coach and agent with a similar philosophy. The needs of individual agents vary as do the methods of instruction that are most effective for their learning. This approach aims to offer coaching that draws upon, highlights, promotes and supports some of the best coaches in the industry based upon their individual talents and the corresponding fit to the particular needs toof our individual, entrepreneurial professionals.

Fee Structure

The lower overall cost of operating our cloud office has enabled us to offer our agents and brokers a higher split of the gross commissions generated from real estate transactions than most traditional real estate brokerages. This higher fee split along with our unique delivery of support services and the flexibility it provides for brokers and agents has facilitated our growth over the past several years.

We also differentiate ourselves by not charging our agents and brokers royalties or franchise fees. Because we do not house agents in physical brick and mortar offices our agents and brokers also do not pay desk or office fees that are commonplace among competitors. Our agents pay a low monthly technologycloud brokerage fee a tuition fee for a curriculum of professional development classes and real estate vision and training (which we call eXp University), avarious transaction processing fee and a risk management fee.fees.

Revenue Sharing Plan

Our cloud office has enabled us to introduce and maintain a gross revenue sharing plan whereby each of our agents and brokers can participate inparticipate. As part of this revenue sharing plan, our agents and from which theybrokers can receive monthly and annual residual overrides on the gross commission income resulting from transactions consummated by the agents and brokers whowhom they have attracted to our company, effectively contributing to our growth.

company.

Consistent with our commitment to enabling and empowering agents and brokers in pursuit of building a scalable business and organization, our revenue sharing plan allows brokers and agents a financial mechanism to build teams across geographic borders without incurring any expense, oversight responsibility, or liability.

borders.

Our gross revenue sharing plan attains one of the industry’s longstanding compensation challenges by providing a vehicle through whichprovides an opportunity where agents and brokers can potentially stop actively sellingearn additional income while focusing on the growth of the eXp brokerage brand and their individual agencies.

Customers

Our clients are primarily residential homeowners and homebuyers in the markets in which we operate as serviced by our international network of independent agents and brokers. These customers are sellers or purchasers of new or existing homes and engage us to aid in the facilitation of the closing of the real estate transaction, including, but still havenot limited to, searching, listing, application processing and other pre- and post-close support.

Based on current market information, sales of existing residential properties represent a vested monthly revenue share plan distribution.large majority of home sales in the U.S. market. This provides our agents and brokers with greater opportunities to represent the buy or sell—and sometimes both—sides of a real estate transaction. In addition, we help our customers fulfill their needs by providing ancillary transaction related services. Our experienced agents and brokers are well suited to support their customers’ needs with a high level of professionalism, knowledge and support as they endeavor on one of the largest transactions they will most likely experience.

Markets

Our MarketsReal Estate Industry Overview

Our primary market is the United States.  We currentlyprimarily operate in all operatingthe U.S. residential real estate market. Through our network of independent agents and brokers, we have brokerages in all 50 states in the U.S. States,residential real estate market, residential real estate markets in most of the DistrictCanadian provinces, and, to a lesser extent, in parts of Columbiathe U.K., Australia, South Africa, Portugal, France, Mexico, and India. As our principal operating market, the U.S. residential real estate market for existing homes, seasonally adjusted, accounted for approximately 6.8 million homes sold with a median existing home sales price of  $0.3 million in 2020, the highest levels since 2006, based on data released by the National Association of Realtors.

The overall health of the U.S. residential real estate market, including demand for homes, is driven largely by, among other factors, the inventory of existing homes, the affordability of housing, macroeconomic factors (e.g., U.S. Federal Reserve rates, unemployment rates, job growth, etc.), governmental policies (e.g., tax deduction and credits, regulatory initiatives, etc.), demographic trends (e.g., customer tastes and perceptions, buy versus rent preferences, income growth, marriage rates, etc.), mortgage rates and financing availability.

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Although the housing market in the U.S. is cyclical as evidenced most recently during the recession of the late 2000’s and subsequent recovery since 2012, we believe that the residential real estate market will continue to grow due to expected increases in the formation of new households and the provincesrelatively low interest rate environment incentivizing homebuying, as well as a robust level of Alberta, British Columbiahomes available for purchase.

Residential real estate brokerage companies typically realize revenues in the form of a commission based on a percentage of the price of each home purchased or sold, which can vary based on industry standards, geographical location, and Ontario, Canada.   specific customer-agent negotiations, among other factors. Therefore, variability in the commissions earned in the real estate industry exists based on general economic and market factors, as well as price and volume of homes sold. When home prices and the volume of home sale transactions increase (decrease), commissions generally will also increase (decrease). However, we are positioned to earn commissions on either—or both—of the buy side or sell side of residential real estate transactions, as well as the ability to receive other fees for complimentary services provided during the close process.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the U.S. residential real estate market during the spring of 2020 with home sales in April and May declining to levels unseen since the recession of the late 2000’s. However, U.S. residential home sales rebounded sharply beginning in June, and overall 2020 saw a material increase in the number of U.S. homes sold and the U.S. median home sales price over 2019 based on data released by the National Association of Realtors. These trends were driven largely by, among other factors, declining mortgage rates, a decline in housing inventory, and an increasing demand for remote workspace. Similarly, the Company had a strong performance over the same period of time, achieving a record number of home sales and a record amount of growth in agent count. However, it is still too early to predict the extent of the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will have on home sales and home sales prices over the long term.

Competition

We compete with local, regional, national and international residential real estate brokerages with respect to the sale of homes and to attract and retain agents, teams of agents, brokers and consumers.consumers—both home sellers and buyers. We compete primarily on the basis of our service, culture, collaboration, utilization of cloud-based systems and technologies that reduce costs, providewhile providing relevant and substantial professional development opportunities and providefor our agents and brokers with an opportunity to generate more business and participate in the growth of our company.

We believe that we are the only national real estate brokerage in the United States presently using a 3D immersive office environment in place of physical brick and mortar officesoffices. Additionally, this innovative operational structure coupled with our distribution model allows us to effectively enter new markets with speed and asflexibility and without much of the investment and cost associated with establishing a traditional brokerage. We also believe our compensation and incentive programs to attract and retain highly productive agents is one of the most compelling in the industry. As such, we believe that we are well-positioned in our competitive landscape.

Virbela

In November 2018, eXp World Technologies, LLC (“World Tech”) acquired substantially all the assets of Virbela, LLC (“Virbela”). Virbela is a technology company that specializes in building 3D virtual worlds for work, education, and events. eXp Realty’s current cloud campus—called eXp World—was created using Virbela’s software and provides 24/7 access to collaboration tools, training, and social communities for the company’s real estate agents and staff across our many locations. In December 2020, a Virbela virtual world was deployed for Success to allow staff, contractors, and consultants to meet, collaborate, and host events in real time across various locations. World Tech has continued to innovate the Virbela platform, expanding the product offering to agents, teams and others who could benefit from their own, always-available environments for collaboration.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, Virbela has seen an increase in demand for virtual events and collaborative spaces for remote teams and as a result has introduced new products and features, including an expo hall, a concert stage for virtual entertainment, VR support for Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE, and screen sharing and video chat capabilities. We expect to continue to service existing and new business-to-business enterprise level Virbela contracts in the coming year.

Resources

Software Development

Our Company continues to increase our investment in the development of our own cloud-based transaction processing platforms and further expand our products and service offerings. We continue to create process efficiencies and provide our agents and brokers with mobile applications designed to facilitate transactions in an efficient and consumer friendly way. To further expand our products and service offerings, we offer an on-demand, home tour mobile application that enables home shoppers to request immediate access to properties exclusively to eXp Realty agents in certain markets.

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Our operational model and growth strategies necessitate the internally-developed technologies used to support our operations now and in the future, as well as requires us to, at times, consider existing and emerging technology companies for acquisition, partnerships and other collaborative relationships.

Intellectual Property

“eXpOur cloud-based real estate brokerage is highly dependent on the proprietary technology that we employ and the intellectual property that we create. “eXp Realty” is one of our registered trademarks in the United States. We have also placed the marks “3D MLS”, “3D Listing Service” and “RE Tech Campus” on the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Supplemental Register. We also own the rights to the domain name names: http://exprealty.com.

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If necessary, we will aggressively assert our rights under trade secret, unfair competition, trademarkexprealty.com, http://exprealty.ca, http://exp-uk.co.uk, http://expaustralia.com.au, http://expsouthafrica.co.za, http://expportugal.com, http://expfrance.fr, http://expmexico.mx, and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property, including product design, product research and concepts and registered trademarks. These rights are protected through the acquisition of patents and trademark registrations, the maintenance of trade secrets, the development of trade dress, and, where appropriate, litigation against those who are, in our opinion, infringing these rights.

http://expglobalindia.co.in.

While there can be no assurance that registered trademarks will protect our proprietary information, we intend to assert our intellectual property rights against any infringement. Although any assertion of our rights could result in a substantial cost and diversion of management effort, we believe the protection and defense against infringement of our intellectual property rights are essential to our business.

Seasonality of Business

Seasons and weather traditionally impact the real estate industry. Continuous poor weather or natural disasters negatively impact listings and sales.industry in the markets in which we operate. Spring and summer seasons historically reflect greater sales periods, and, in turn, higher revenues and operating results in comparison to fall and winter seasons. We have historically experienced lower revenues duringWhile the fall and winter seasons, as well as during periodsspring season of unseasonable weather, which reduces our operating income, net income, operating margins and cash flow.2020 saw a sharp decline in U.S. home sales across the industry, the summer season rebounded sharply with existing-home sales, seasonally adjusted, totaling 6.8 million in 2020 up 22.2% from 2019 based on data released by the National Association of Realtors.

Real estate listings precede sales and a period of poor listing activity will negatively impact revenue. Past performance in similar seasons or during similar weather events can provide no assurance of future or current performance, and macroeconomic shifts in the markets we serve can conceal the impact of poor weather and/or seasonality.

Home sales in successive quarters can fluctuate widely due to a wide variety of factors, including holidays, national or international emergencies, the school year calendar’s impact on timing of family relocations, interest rate changes, speculation of pending interest rate changes and the overall macroeconomic market. Our revenue and operating margins each quarter will remain subject to seasonal fluctuations, poor weather and natural disasters and macroeconomic market changes that may make it difficult to compare or analyze our financial performance effectively across successive quarters.

Furthermore, the residential real estate market and the real estate industry in general is often cyclical, characterized by protracted periods of depressed home values, lower buyer demand, inflated rates of foreclosure and often changing regulatory or underwriting standards applicable to mortgages. Such depressed real estate cycles are often followed by extended periods of higher buyer demand, lower available real estate supply and increasing home values. Our business is affected by these cycles in the residential real estate market, which can make it difficult to compare or analyze our financial performance effectively across successive periods.

Software Development

Our Company continues to increase our investment in the development of our own cloud-based transaction processing platforms and further expand our products and service offerings. Throughout 2018, we have focused on creating process efficiencies and providing our agents and brokers with mobile applications designed to facilitate transactions in an efficient and consumer friendly way.  To further expand our products and service offerings, we purchased certain technology and intellectual property of ShowMeNow, an on-demand, home tour mobile application that enables home shoppers to request immediate access to properties, giving buyers flexible, real-time access to properties.

Government Regulation

We serve the residential real estate industry which is regulated by federal, state and local authorities as well as private associations or state sponsored associations or organizations. We are required to comply with federal, state, provincial, and local laws, as well as private governing bodies’ regulations, which combined results in a highly-regulated industry.

We are also subject to federal, state, and stateprovincial regulations relating to employment, contractor, and compensation practices. Except for certain employees who have an active real estate license, virtually all real estate professionals in our brokerage operations have been retained as independent contractors, either directly or indirectly through third-party entities formed by these independent contractors for their business purposes. With respect to these independent contractors, like most brokerage firms, we are subject to the Internal Revenue Service regulations and applicable state law guidelines regarding independent contractor classification. These regulations and guidelines are subject to judicial and agency interpretation.

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Real Estate Regulation - Federal

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, as amended, (RESPA) became effective on June 20, 1975. RESPA requires lenders, mortgage brokers, or servicers of home loans to provide borrowers with pertinent and timely disclosures regarding the nature and costs of the real estate settlement process. RESPA also protects borrowers against certain abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and places limitations upon the use of escrow accounts. RESPA also requires detailed disclosures concerning the transfer, sale, or assignment of mortgage servicing, as well as disclosures for mortgage escrow accounts.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) moved authority to administer RESPA from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). At present, leadership at the CFPB is in transition, with a new acting director. The CFPB released a five-year strategic plan in February 2018 indicating that it intends to continue to focus on protecting consumer rights while engaging in rulemaking to address unwarranted regulatory burdens. As a result, the regulatory framework of RESPA applicable to our business may be subject to change. The Dodd-Frank Act also increased regulation of the mortgage industry, including:including but not limited to: (i) generally prohibiting lenders from making residential mortgage loans unless a good faith determination is made of a borrower'sborrower’s creditworthiness based on verified and documented information;(ii) requiring the CFPB to enactenacting regulations to help assure that consumers are provided with timely and understandable information about residential mortgage loans thatand to protect themconsumers against unfair, deceptive and abusive practices; and (iii) requiring federal regulators to establishestablishing minimum national underwriting guidelines for residential mortgages that lenders will be allowed to securitize without retaining any of the loans’ default risk. In February 2018, the CFPB released a five-year strategic plan indicating that the CFPB intends to continue to focus on protecting consumer rights while engaging in rulemaking to address unwarranted regulatory burdens. Under the current strategic plan, the CFPB would (i) provide “clear rules of the road” through rulemaking and amendments; (ii) foster a “culture of compliance” among businesses; (iii) engage in “vigorous enforcement”; and (iv) educate consumers to make the best financial decisions. Additionally, in a recent regulatory agenda, the CFPB indicated that it planned to review “inherited regulations” to ensure “outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome regulations” are addressed and modernized. As a result, the regulatory framework of RESPA applicable to our business may be subject to change. In addition, federal fair housing laws generally make it illegal to discriminate against protected classes of individuals in housing or brokerage services. Other federal laws and regulations applicable to our business include (i) the Federal Truth in Lending Act of 1969; (ii) the Federal Equal Credit Opportunity; (iii) the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act; (iv) the Fair Housing

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Act; (v) the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act; (vi) the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act; (vii) the Consumer Financial Protection Act; (viii) the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act; and (ix) the Do Not Call/Do Not Fax ActTelephone Consumer Protection Act; and other(x) state and federal laws pertaining to the privacy rights of consumers, which affects our opportunities to solicithow we collect and use customer information, including solicitation of new clients.

Real Estate Regulation - State and Local Level

Real estate and brokerage licensing laws and requirements vary from state to state. In general, all individuals and entities lawfully conducting businesses as real estate brokers, agents or sales associates must be licensed in the state in which they carry on business and must at all times be in compliance.

States will require a real estate broker to be employed by the brokerage firm or permit an independent contractor classification, and the broker may work for another broker conducting business on behalf of the sponsoring broker.

StatesCertain jurisdictions may require a person licensed as a real estate agent, broker, sales associate or salesperson, to be affiliated with a brokerbrokerage in order to engage in licensed real estate brokerage activities or allow the agent, broker, sales associate or salesperson to work for the public, another agent or broker, sales associate or salesperson conducting business on behalf of the brokerage, sponsoring agent, broker, sales associate or salesperson. Agents, sales associates or salespersons are generally classified as independent contractors; however, real estate firms can also offer employment.

Engaging in the real estate brokerage business requires obtaining a real estate broker license (although in some states the licenses are personal to individual brokers).brokerage license. In order to obtain this license, most jurisdictions require that a member or manager be licensed individually as a real estate broker in that jurisdiction. If applicable, thisThis member or manager is responsible for supervising the licensees and the entity’s real estate brokerage activities within the state.

Real estate licensees, whether they are brokers, salespersons, individuals, agents or entities, must follow the state’s real estate licensing laws and regulations. These laws and regulations generally specify minimum duties and obligations of these licensees to their clients and the public, as well as standards for the conduct of business, including contract and disclosure requirements, record keeping requirements, requirements for local offices, escrow trust fund management, agency representation, advertising regulations and fair housing requirements.

In each of the states where we have operations, we assign appropriate personnel to manage and comply with applicable laws and regulations.

Most states have local regulations (city or county government) that govern the conduct of the real estate brokerage business. Local regulations generally require additional disclosures by the parties to a real estate transaction or their agents or brokers, or the receipt of reports or certifications, often from the local governmental authority, prior to the closing or settlement of a real estate transaction as well as prescribed review and approval periods for documentation and broker conditions for review and approval.

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Third-Party Rules

Beyond federal, state and local governmental regulations, the real estate industry is subject to rules established by private real estate groups and/or trade organizations, including, among others, state Associations of REALTORS® (AOR), and local Associations of REALTORS® (AOR)REALTORS® (“AOR”), the National Association of Realtors® (NAR)Realtors® (“NAR”), and local Multiple Listing Services (MLSs)(“MLSs”). “REALTOR” and “REALTORS” are registered trademarks of the National Association of REALTORS®REALTORS®.

Each third-party organization generally has prescribed policies, bylaws, codes of ethics or conduct, and fees and rules governing the actions of members in dealings with other members, clients and the public, as well as how the third-party organization’s brand and services may or may not be deployed or displayed.

We assign appropriate personnel to manage and comply with third party organization policies and bylaws.

Environmental Regulation

EmployeesThe Company operates in a cloud-based model which gives us an insignificant physical geographical footprint. Due to this, we are not materially impacted by any environment regulation.

Human Capital

Our employees and independent real estate agents and brokers represent the human capital investments imperative to our operations. We ended fiscal year 20182020 with 354900 full-time employees. Our employees are not members of any labor union, and we have never experienced business interruptions due to labor disputes. We also utilize part-time and temporary employees and over 15,500consultants when necessary. A key component to our operational capabilities is our independent real estate agent and broker network, which consisted of 41,313 agents and brokers whom we classify as independent contractors.

of December 31, 2020.

Our operations are overseen directly by management. Our management oversees all responsibilities in the areas of corporate administration, business development, and research. We have successfully expanded our current management to retain skilled employees with experience relevant to our business and intentintend to continue with this initiative. Our management’s relationships with agents, brokers, technology providers, and customers will provide the foundation through which we expect to grow our business in the future. We believe the skill-set of our management team will be a primary asset in the development of our brands and trademarks. Additionally, the

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Company invests in creating an equitable and inclusive culture for its employees through the establishment of the Diversity and Employee Success team created under the human resources department. eXp has been named one of the Best Places to Work on Glassdoor for the each of the years 2018 through 2021.

We provide entrepreneurial business opportunities and a competitive compensation structure to our agents and brokers. Additionally, our agents and brokers have a unique choice to attain a greater vested interest in eXp through the acceptance of equity awards in the Company’s stock as part of their compensation packages. These programs and our agent support platforms—including training, back-office support, and communications—allow agents and brokers to successfully operate their own businesses that are aligned with our strategies and goals, creating synergies across our distribution network. Refer to our Agent Advisory Council section of our website at https://expworldholdings.com/agent-advisory-council/ for information on agent participation in the management of eXp. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report.

As the Company grows, management continually researches new directives and implementation efforts for the long-term success of the Company.

Available Information

Our Company files annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Our Company maintains a website at www.expworldholdings.com. Our filings with the SEC, including without limitation, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reportsQuarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and current reportsCurrent Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are available through a link maintained on our website under the heading “Investor Relations—SEC Filings.” Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report. Previously filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods affected by the restatement have not been amended. Accordingly, investors should no longer rely upon the Company’s previously released financial statements for these periods and any earnings releases or other communications relating to these periods.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the following factors, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in future periods. The risks described below are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in future periods.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which could, if not remediated, result in material misstatements in our financial statements.

Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Under auditing standards established by the U.S. Public Company Oversight Board, a material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis.

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During its evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2018, management identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting related to our control environment, monitoring controls and certain control activities which resulted in errors mainly to revenue, accounts receivable and commission expense and could have resulted in errors in other financial statement line items. 

See Part II, Item 9 – “Controls and Procedures.”

While we are in the process of identifying and implementing remedial measures to address the control deficiencies that led to the material weaknesses, there can be no assurance that remedial measures will prevent other control deficiencies or material weaknesses.  We may identify additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future.  If we are unable to remediate the material weaknesses or we identify additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future, our ability to analyze, record and report financial information free of material misstatements, and to prepare our financial statements within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the SEC may be adversely affected. The occurrence of, or failure to remediate, the material weaknesses and any further material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting may result in material misstatements as well as negatively impact the reliability of our financial statements, our reputation, our business and the trading price of our common stock.

We have experienced net losses in recent years, and because we have a limited operating history, our ability to fully and successfully develop our business is unknown.

We have a history of operating at losses since our inception in October 2009. Our ability to realize consistent, meaningful revenues and profit over a sustained period has not been established and cannot be assured.

While we believe that we have made significant progress in revenue growth and managing our overhead by implementing our cloud-based technology strategy, our services must achieve broad market acceptance by consumers and we must continue to grow our geographical reach, attract more agents and brokers, and increase the volume of our residential real-estate transactions. If we are unsuccessful in continuing to gain market acceptance, we will not be able to generate sufficient revenue to continue our business operations and could sustain on-going operating and net losses.

Despite our ongoing efforts to build revenue growth, both organically and through acquisitions, and to control the anticipated expenses associated with the continued development, marketing and provision of our services, we may not be able to generate significant net income from operations in the future.

Our profitability is tied to the strength of the residential real estate market, which is subject to a number of general business and macroeconomic conditions beyond our control.

Our profitability is closely related to the strength of the residential real estate market which is cyclical in nature and typically is affected by changes in national, state, and local economic conditions, which are beyond our control. Macroeconomic conditions that could adversely impact the growth of the real estate market and have a material adverse effect on our business include, but are not limited to, economic slowdown or recession, increased unemployment, increased energy costs, reductions in the availability of credit or higher interest rates, increased costs of obtaining mortgages, an increase in foreclosure activity, inflation, disruptions in capital markets, declines in the stock market, adverse tax policies or changes in other regulations, lower consumer confidence, lower wage and salary levels, war or terrorist attacks, natural disasters or adverse weather events, or the public perception that any of these events may occur. Unfavorable general economic conditions, such as a recession or economic slowdown, in the United States,U.S., Canada, or other markets we enter and operate within, could negatively affect the affordability of, and consumer demand for, our services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and profitability. In addition, federal and state governments, agencies, and government-sponsored entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could take actions that result in unforeseen consequences to the real estate market or that otherwise could negatively impact our business.

The real estate market is substantially reliant on the monetary policies of the U.S. federal government and its agencies and is particularly affected by the policies of the Federal Reserve Board, which regulates the supply of money and credit in the U.S., which in turn impacts interest rates. Our business could be negatively impacted by any rising interest rate environment. As mortgage rates rise, the number of home sale transactions may decrease as potential home sellers choose to stay with their lower mortgage rate rather than sell their home and pay a higher mortgage rate with the purchase of another home. Similarly, in higher interest rate environments, potential home buyers may choose to rent rather than pay higher mortgage rates. Changes in the interest rate environment and mortgage market are beyond our control and are difficult to predict and, as such, could have a material adverse effect on our business and profitability.

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The coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our businesses, financial condition, and results of operations.

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Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the global economy and financial markets. In the U.S. and abroad, governments continue to react to this evolving public health crisis by, among other actions, recommending or requiring the avoidance of gatherings of people or significantly or entirely curtailing activities categorized as non-essential. This unprecedented situation has created considerable risks and uncertainties for the U.S. real estate services industry in general and for the Company in particular, including those arising from the potential adverse effects on the economy as well as risks related to employees, independent agents, and consumers. The extent of the impact of the pandemic on our business and financial results will depend largely on future developments, including the extent and duration of the spread of the outbreak, the extent of governmental regulation (including, but not limited to, mandated “shelter in place” or other regulations that, for example, preclude or strictly limit open houses or in-person showings of properties), the impact on capital and financial markets and the related impact on consumer confidence and spending, and the magnitude of the financial and operational consequences to our agents and brokers, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

Our operating results are subject to seasonality and vary significantly among quarters during each calendar year, making meaningful comparisons of successive quarters difficult.

Seasons and weather traditionally impact the real estate industry. Continuous poor weather or natural disasters negatively impact listings and sales. Spring and summer seasons historically reflect greater sales periods in comparison to fall and winter seasons. We have historically experienced lower revenues during the fall and winter seasons, as well as during periods of unseasonable weather, which reduces our operating income, net income, operating margins and cash flow.

Real estate listings precede sales and a period of poor listings activity will negatively impact revenue. Past performance in similar seasons or during similar weather events can provide no assurance of future or current performance, and macroeconomic shifts in the markets we serve can conceal the impact of poor weather or seasonality.

Home sales in successive quarters can fluctuate widely due to a wide variety of factors, including holidays, national or international emergencies, the school year calendar’s impact on timing of family relocations, interest rate changes, speculation of pending interest rate changes and the overall macroeconomic market. Our revenue and operating margins each quarter will remain subject to seasonal fluctuations, poor weather and natural disasters and macroeconomic market changes that may make it difficult to compare or analyze our financial performance effectively across successive quarters.

Risks Related to our Business and Operations

We may be unable to maintain our agent growth rate, which would adversely affect our revenue growth and results of operations.

We have experienced rapid and accelerating growth in our real estate broker and agent base. During the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, our net agent and broker base grew by 139.1%, from 6,511to 41,313 agents and brokers, at December 31, 2017, to 15,570or by 63%, from 25,423 agents and brokers atas of December 31, 2018.2019. Because we derive revenue from real estate transactions in which our brokers and agents receive commissions, increases in our agentthe amount and broker base correlate to increases in revenues, and the rate of growth of our revenue correlatestypically correlate to the amount and rate of growth of our agent and broker base.base, respectively. The rate of growth of our agent and broker base cannot be predicted and is subject to many factors outside of our control, including actions taken by our competitors and macroeconomic factors affecting the real estate industry generally.in general. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our recent agent growth rate or that our agent and broker base will continue to expand in future periods. A slowdown in our agent growth rate would have a material adverse effect on revenue growth and could adversely affect our business, results of operations.

operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

We may be unable to effectively manage rapid growth in our business.

We may not be able to scale our business quickly enough to meet the growing needs of our affiliated real estate professionals and if we are not able to grow efficiently, our operating results could be harmed. As the Company adds new real estate professionals, weit will need to devote additional financial and human resources to improving ourits internal systems, integrating with third-party systems, and maintaining infrastructure performance. In addition, we will need to appropriately scale our internal business systems and our services organization, including support of our affiliated real estate professionals as our demographics expand over time. Any failure of or delay in these efforts could cause impaired system performance and reduced real estate professional satisfaction. These issues could reduce the attractiveness of our Company to existing real estate professionals who might leave the Company, as well as resulting in decreased attraction of new real estate professionals. Even if we are able to upgrade our systems and expand our staff, such expansion may be expensive, complex, and place increasing demands on our management. We could also face inefficiencies or operational failures as a result of our efforts to scale our infrastructure, and we may not be successful in maintaining adequate financial and operating systems and controls as we expand. Moreover, there are inherent risks associated with upgrading, improving, and expanding our information

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technology systems. We cannot be sure that the expansion and improvements to our infrastructure and systems will be fully or effectively implemented on a timely basis, if at all. These efforts may reduce revenue and our margins and adversely impact our financial results.

If we fail to grow in the various local markets that we serve or are unsuccessful in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities our long-term prospects and profitability will be harmed.

To capture and retain market share in the various local markets that we serve, we must compete successfully against other brokerages for agents and brokers and for the consumer relationships that they bring. Our competitors could lower the fees that they charge to agents and brokers or could raise the compensation structure for those agents. Our competitors may have access to greater financial resources than us, allowing them to undertake expensive local advertising or marketing efforts. In addition, our competitors may be able to leverage local relationships, referral sources, and strong local brand and name recognition that we have not established. Our competitors could, as a result, have greater leverage in attracting new and established agents in the market and in generating business among local consumers. Our ability to grow in the local markets that we serve will depend on our ability to compete with these local brokerages.

We may implement changes to our business model and operations to improve revenues that cause a disproportionate increase in our expenses or reduce profit margins. For example, we may allocate resources to acquiring lower margin brokerage models and have invested in the development of a mortgage servicing division, a commercial real estate division, a title and escrow company orand a continuing education division. These decisionsExpanding our service offerings could involve significant up-front costs that may only be recovered after lengthy periods of time. Any of theseOur barrier to entry in new real estate markets is low given our cloud-based operating model; however, attempts to pursue new business opportunities could result in a disproportionate increase in our expenses and in reduced profit margins. In addition, any of these additional activitiesexpansion into new markets, including internationally, could expose us to additional compliance obligations and regulatory risks.

If we fail to continue to grow in the local markets we serve or if we fail to successfully identify and pursue new business opportunities, our long-term prospects, financial condition, and results of operations may be harmed, and our stock price may decline.

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The utilization of a 3D cloud based immersive office as a suitable substitute for a physical brick and mortar location is a new and unproven strategy and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to operate and grow within its confines.

Currently, our cloud office adequately supports the needs of our agent population located across the United States and Canada. We cannot guarantee that our cloud office platform will continue to support our agent population and meet our business needs as we grow. The effectiveness of our cloud office platform is tied to a number of variables at any given time including server capacity and concurrent users. In addition, the use of the cloud office platform, and the use generally of 3D immersive office environments as an acceptable substitute among agents and brokers for physical office locations is unproven. We cannot guarantee that industry rank and file will adopt or accept cloud-based 3D office environments as a substitute for a physical office environment in a sustainable, long-term manner.

We intend to evaluate acquisitions or investments in third-party technologies and businesses, but we may not realize the anticipated benefits from, and may have to pay substantial costs related to, any acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, or investments that we undertake.

As part of our business and growth strategy, we evaluate acquisitions of, or investments in, a wide array of potential strategic opportunities, including third-party technologies and businesses as well as other real estate brokerages. If we are not able to integrate acquisitions successfully, our operating results and prospects could be harmed. We have acquired new technology and operations, including our most recent acquisition of VirBELA and ShowMeNow application.  We will continue to look for opportunities to acquire technologies or operations that we believe will contribute to our growth and development.  The success of our future acquisition strategy will depend on our ability to identify, negotiate, complete and integrate acquisitions.  In addition, an acquisition could cause potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or incurrence of debt.

Acquisitions are inherently risky, and any acquisitions we complete may not be successful.  Any acquisitions we pursue would involve numerous risks, including the following:

·

difficulties in integrating and managing the operations and technologies of the companies we acquire, including higher than expected integration costs and longer integration periods;

·

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

·

our inability to maintain the customers, key employees, key business relationships and reputations of the businesses we acquire;

·

our inability to generate sufficient revenue or business efficiencies from acquisitions to offset our increased expenses associated with acquisitions;

·

our responsibility for the liabilities of the businesses we acquire, including, without limitation, liabilities arising out of their failure to maintain effective data security, data integrity, disaster recovery and privacy controls prior to the acquisition, or their infringement or alleged infringement of third party intellectual property, contract or data access rights prior to the acquisition;

·

difficulties in complying with new markets or regulatory standards to which we were not previously subject;

·

delays in our ability to implement internal standards, controls, procedures and policies in the businesses we acquire and increased risk that our internal controls will be ineffective;

·

adverse effects of acquisition activity on the key performance indicators we use to monitor our performance as a business; and

·

inability to fully realize intangible assets recognized through acquisitions and related non-cash impairment charges that may result if we are required to revalue such intangible assets.

Our failure to address these risks or any other challenges we encounter with our future acquisitions and investments could cause us to not realize all or any of the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions or investments, incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business, which could negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.

We face significant risk to our brand and revenue if we fail to maintain compliance with the law and regulations of federal, state, county and foreign governmental authorities, or private associations and governing boards.

We operate in a heavily regulated industry subject to complex, federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations and third-party organizations’ regulations, policies and bylaws governing the real estate business.

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In general, the laws, rules and regulations that apply to our business practices include, without limitation, RESPA. the federal Fair Housing Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and federal advertising and other laws, as well as comparable state statutes; rules of trade organizations such as NAR, local MLSs, and state and local AORs; licensing requirements and related obligations that could arise from our business practices relating to the provision of services other than real estate brokerage services; privacy regulations relating to our use of personal information collected from the registered users of our websites; laws relating to the use and publication of information through the Internet; and state real estate brokerage licensing requirements, as well as statutory due diligence, disclosure, record keeping and standard-of-care obligations relating to these licenses.

Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act contains the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act (“Mortgage Act”), which imposes a number of additional requirements on lenders and servicers of residential mortgage loans, by amending certain existing provisions and adding new sections to RESPA and other federal laws. It also broadly prohibits unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices, and knowingly or recklessly providing substantial assistance to a covered person in violation of that prohibition. The penalties for noncompliance with these laws are also significantly increased by the Mortgage Act, which could lead to an increase in lawsuits against mortgage lenders and servicers.

Maintaining legal compliance is challenging and increases our costs due to resources required to continually monitor business practices for compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to monitor changes in the applicable laws themselves.

We may not become aware of all the laws, rules and regulations that govern our business, or be able to comply with all of them, given the rate of regulatory changes, ambiguities in regulations, contradictions in regulations between jurisdictions, and the difficulties in achieving both company-wide and region-specific knowledge and compliance.

If we fail, or we have alleged to have failed, to comply with any existing or future applicable laws, rules and regulations, we could be subject to lawsuits and administrative complaints and proceedings, as well as criminal proceedings. Our noncompliance could result in significant defense costs, settlement costs, damages and penalties.

Our business licenses could be suspended or revoked, our business practices enjoined, or we could be required to modify our business practices, which could materially impair, or even prevent, our ability to conduct all or any portion of our business. Any such events could also damage our reputation and impair our ability to attract and service home buyers, home sellers and agents, as well our ability to attract brokerages, brokers, teams of agents and agents to our company, without increasing our costs.

Further, if we lose our ability to obtain and maintain all of the regulatory approvals and licenses necessary to conduct business as we currently operate, our ability to conduct business may be harmed. Lastly, any lobbying or related activities we undertake in response to mitigate liability of current or new regulations could substantially increase our operating expenses.

We may suffer significant financial harm and loss of reputation if we do not comply, cannot comply, or are alleged to have not complied with applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning our classification and compensation practices for the agents in our owned-and-operated brokerage.

Except for our employed state brokers, all real estate professionals in our brokerage operations have been retained as independent contractors, either directly or indirectly through third-party entities formed by these independent contractors for their business purposes. With respect to these independent contractors, like most brokerage firms, we are subject to the Internal Revenue Service regulations and applicable state law guidelines regarding independent contractor classification. These regulations and guidelines are subject to judicial and agency interpretation, and it might be determined that the independent contractor classification is inapplicable to any of our affiliated real estate professionals. Further, if legal standards for classification of real estate professionals as independent contractors change or appear to be changing, it may be necessary to modify our compensation and benefits structure for our affiliated real estate professionals in some or all of our markets, including by paying additional compensation or reimbursing expenses.

In the future we could incur substantial costs, penalties and damages, including back pay, unpaid benefits, taxes, expense reimbursement and attorneys’ fees, in defending future challenges by our affiliated real estate professionals to our employment classification or compensation practices.

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If we do not remain an innovative leader in the real estate industry, we may not be able to grow our business and leverage our costs to achieve profitability.

Innovation has been critical to our ability to compete against other brokerages for clients and agents. For example, we have pioneered the utilization of a 3D immersive online office environment in the real estate market which reduces our need for office space and facilitates the transaction of business away from an office. If competitors follow our practices or develop innovative practices, our ability to achieve profitability may diminish or erode. For example, certain other brokerages could develop or license cloud-based office platforms that are equal to or superior to ours. If we do not remain on the forefront of innovation, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability.

The market for Internet products and services including, without limitation, 3D immersive experiences, virtual reality and augmented reality is characterized by rapid technological developments, evolving industry standards and customer demands, and frequent new product introductions and enhancements. The Company’s future success will depend in significant part on its ability to continually improve the performance, features and reliability of its Internet-based virtual environment, its tools and other properties in response to both evolving demands of the marketplace and competitive product offerings, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in doing so. In addition, the widespread adoption of new virtual reality and augmented reality applications through new technology developments could require fundamental changes in the Company’s services.

Our value proposition for agents and brokers includes allowing them to participate in the gross revenues of our company and is not typical in the real estate industry. If agents and brokers do not understand our value proposition, we may not be able to attract, retain, and incentivize agents.

Participation in our gross revenue sharing plan represents a key component of our agent and broker value proposition. Agents and brokers may not understand or appreciate its value.value due to the intricacies of our programs. In addition, agents may not appreciate other components of our value proposition, including the cloud office platform, the mobility it affords, the systems and tools that we provide to agents and brokers, and the professional development opportunities we create and deliver. If agents and brokers do not understand the elements of our agent value proposition, or do not perceive it to be more valuable than the models used by most competitors, we may not be able to attract, retain and incentivize new and existing agents and brokers to grow our revenues.

We may be unable to attract and retain additional qualified personnel.

To execute our business strategy, we must attract and retain highly qualified personnel. In particular, we compete with many other real estate brokerages for qualified brokers who manage our operations in each state. We must also compete with technology companies for developers with high levels of experience in designing, developing and managing cloud-based software, as well as for skilled service and operations professionals, and we may not be successful in attracting and retaining the professionals we need. Additionally, in order to realize the potential benefits of acquisitions, we may need to retain employees from the acquired businesses or hire additional personnel to fully capitalize on the opportunities that such acquisitions may offer, and we may not be successful in retaining or attracting such individuals following an acquisition. From time to time in the past we have experienced, and we expect to continue to experience in the future, difficulty in hiring and difficulty in retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. Many of the companies with which we compete for experienced personnel have greater resources than we do. In addition, in making employment decisions, particularly in the software industry, job candidates often consider the value of the stock options or other equity incentives they are to receive in connection with their employment. If the price of our stock declines or continues to experience significant volatility, our ability to attract or retain key employees may be adversely affected. If we fail to attract new personnel or fail to retain and motivate our current personnel, our growth prospects could be severely harmed.

We have experienced net losses in recent years, and, because we have a limited operating history, our ability to fully and successfully develop our business is unknown.

We had a history of operating at losses since our inception in October 2009 until the fourth quarter of 2019. Our ability to realize consistent, meaningful revenues and profit over a sustained period has not been established over the long term and cannot be assured in future periods.

While we believe that we have made significant progress in revenue growth and managing our overhead by implementing our cloud-based technology strategy, our services must achieve broad market acceptance by consumers, and we must continue to grow our geographical reach, attract more agents and brokers, and increase the volume of our residential real-estate transactions. If we are

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unsuccessful in continuing to gain market acceptance, we will not be able to generate sufficient revenue to continue our business operations and could recognize future operating resultsand net losses.

Despite our ongoing efforts to build revenue growth, both organically and through acquisitions, and to control the anticipated expenses associated with the continued development, marketing and provision of our services, we may not be able to consistently generate significant net income and cash flows from operations in the future.

We may not be able to utilize a portion of our net operating loss carryforwards, which may adversely affect our profitability.

As of December 31, 2020, we had federal and state net operating losses carryforward due to prior years’ losses. The pre-fiscal 2018 federal and the state net operating losses will carry forward 20 years. The federal net operating losses generated in and after fiscal 2018 can be carried forward indefinitely. A portion of our net operating loss may expire unused and be unavailable to reduce future income tax liabilities, which may adversely affect our profitability.

In addition, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, our ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards or other tax attributes, in any taxable year, may be limited if we experience an “ownership change.” A Section 382 “ownership change” generally occurs if one or more stockholders or groups of stockholders who own at least 5% of our stock increase their ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. It is possible that an ownership change, or any future ownership change, could have a material effect on the use of our net operating loss carryforwards or other tax attributes, which could adversely affect our profitability.

We could be subject to changes in tax laws and regulations that may have a material adverse effect in our business

We operate and are subject to seasonalitytaxes in the United States and varynumerous other jurisdictions throughout the world. Changes to federal, state, local, or international tax laws on income, sales, use, indirect, or other tax laws, statutes, rules or regulations may adversely affect our effective tax rate, operating results or cash flows.

Our effective tax rate could increase due to several factors, including: changes in the relative amounts of income before taxes in the various jurisdictions in which we operate that have differing statutory tax rates; changes in tax laws, tax treaties, and regulations or the interpretation of them, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”); changes to our assessment about our ability to realize our deferred tax assets that are based on estimates of our future results, the prudence and feasibility of possible tax planning strategies, and the economic and political environments in which we do business; the outcome of current and future tax audits, examinations or administrative appeals; and limitations or adverse findings regarding our ability to do business in some jurisdictions.

In particular, new income, sales and use or other tax laws or regulations could be enacted at any time, which could adversely affect our business operations and financial performance. Further, existing tax laws, regulations could be interpreted, modified or applied adversely to us. For example, the Tax Act enacted many significant changes to the U.S. tax laws. Future guidance from the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities with respect to the Tax Act may affect us, and certain aspects of the Tax Act could be repealed or modified in future legislation. For example, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 (the “CARES Act”) modified certain provisions of the Tax Act. In addition, it is uncertain if and to what extent various states will conform to the Tax Act, the CARES Act, or any newly enacted federal tax legislation. Changes in corporate tax rates, the realization of net operating losses, and other deferred tax assets relating to our operations, the taxation of foreign earnings, and the deductibility of expenses under the Tax Act or future reform legislation could have a material impact on the value of our deferred tax assets and could increase our future U.S. tax expense.

The utilization of a 3D cloud-based immersive office as a suitable substitute for a physical brick and mortar location is a new and unproven strategy and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to operate and grow within its confines.

Currently, our cloud office adequately supports the needs of our agent population located across the markets we serve. We cannot guarantee that our cloud office platform will continue to support our agent population and meet our business needs as we grow. The effectiveness of our cloud office platform is tied to a number of variables at any given time, including server capacity and concurrent users. In addition, the use of the cloud office platform and the use generally of 3D immersive office environments as an acceptable substitute among agents and brokers for physical office locations is unproven. We cannot guarantee that industry rank and file will adopt or accept cloud-based 3D office environments as a substitute for a physical office environment in a sustainable, long-term manner.

We intend to evaluate acquisitions or investments in third-party technologies and businesses, but we may not realize the anticipated benefits from, and may have to pay substantial costs related to, any acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, or investments that we undertake.

As part of our business and growth strategy, we evaluate acquisitions of, or investments in, a wide array of potential strategic opportunities, including third-party technologies and businesses, as well as other real estate brokerages. If we are not able to effectively integrate acquired businesses and assets or successfully execute on joint venture strategies, our operating results and prospects could be

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harmed. Since 2018, we have acquired new technology and operations and entered into joint venture arrangements. We will continue to look for opportunities to acquire technologies or operations that we believe will contribute to our growth and development, including our July 2020 acquisition of Showcase Web Sites, L.L.C. and our December 2020 acquisition of Success Enterprises LLC. The success of our future acquisition strategy will depend on our ability to identify, negotiate, complete, and integrate acquisitions. The success of our future joint venture strategies will depend on our ability to identify, negotiate, complete, and successfully manage and grow joint ventures with other parties. In addition, acquisitions and joint ventures could cause potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or incurrence of debt.

Acquisitions and joint ventures are inherently risky, and any we complete may not be successful. Any acquisitions and joint ventures we pursue would involve numerous risks, including the following:

difficulties in integrating and managing the operations and technologies of the companies we acquire, including higher than expected integration costs and longer integration periods;
diversion of our management’s attention from normal daily operations of our business;
our inability to maintain the customers, key employees, key business relationships and reputations of the businesses we acquire;
our inability to generate sufficient revenue or business efficiencies from acquisitions or joint ventures to offset our increased expenses associated with acquisitions or joint ventures;
our responsibility for the liabilities of the businesses we acquire or gain ownership in through joint ventures, including, without limitation, liabilities arising out of their failure to maintain effective data security, data integrity, disaster recovery and privacy controls prior to the acquisition, or their infringement or alleged infringement of third party intellectual property, contract or data access rights prior to the acquisition;
difficulties in complying with new markets or regulatory standards to which we were not previously subject;
delays in our ability to implement internal standards, controls, procedures and policies in the businesses we acquire or gain ownership in through joint ventures and increased risk that our internal controls will be ineffective;
operations in a nascent state depend directly on utilization by eXp Realty agents and brokers;
adverse effects of acquisition and joint venture activity on the key performance indicators we use to monitor our performance as a business; and
inability to fully realize intangible assets recognized through acquisitions or joint ventures and related non-cash impairment charges that may result if we are required to revalue such intangible assets.

Our failure to address these risks or any other challenges we encounter with our future acquisitions, joint ventures, and investments could cause us to not realize all or any of the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions or investments, incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business, which could negatively impact our operating results, financial condition, and cash flows.

Our international operations are subject to risks not generally experienced by our U.S. operations.

In addition to operating in Canada, we expanded our business into Australia and the United Kingdom in 2019, and into South Africa, Portugal, France, Mexico, and India during 2020. Our international operations are subject to risks not generally experienced by our U.S. operations. The risks involved in our international operations and relationships that could result in losses against which we are not insured and, therefore, affect our profitability include:

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
exposure to local economic conditions and local laws and regulations;
employment laws that are significantly different that U.S. laws;
diminished ability to legally enforce our contractual rights and use of our trademarks in foreign countries;
difficulties in registering, protecting or preserving trade names and trademarks in foreign countries;
restrictions on the ability to obtain or retain licenses required for operations;
withholding and other taxes on third party cross-border transactions as well as remittances and other payments by subsidiaries;
onerous requirements, subject to broad interpretation, for indirect taxes and income taxes that can result in audits with potentially significant financial outcomes;
changes in foreign taxation structures;
compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, or similar laws of other countries;
uncertainties and effects of the implementation of the United Kingdom’s agreement to withdraw its membership from the European Union (referred to as Brexit), including financial, legal and tax implications;
government and health organization restrictions within the international locations in which we operate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be significantly different than those imposed within U.S. jurisdictions; and

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regional and country specific data protection and privacy laws including the GDPR.

In addition, activities of agents and brokers outside of the U.S. are more difficult and more expensive to monitor, and improper activities or mismanagement may be more difficult to detect. Negligent or improper activities involving our agents and brokers may result in reputational damage to us and may lead to direct claims against us based on theories of vicarious liability, negligence, joint operations and joint employer liability which, if determined adversely, could increase costs, and subject us to incremental liability for their actions.

Loss of our current executive officers or other key management could significantly among quarters during each calendar year, making meaningful comparisonsharm our business.

We depend on the industry experience and talent of successive quarters difficult.our current executives. We believe that our future results will depend in part upon our ability to retain and attract highly skilled and qualified management. The loss of our executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our operations because other officers may not have the experience and expertise to readily replace these individuals. To the extent that one or more of our top executives or other key management personnel depart from the Company, our operations and business prospects may be adversely affected. In addition, changes in executives and key personnel could be disruptive to our business.

Failure to protect intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business.

SeasonsOur intellectual property rights, including existing and weather traditionallyfuture trademarks, trade secrets, patents and copyrights, are important assets of the business. We have taken measures to protect our intellectual property, but these measures may not be sufficient or effective. We may bring lawsuits to protect against the potential infringement of our intellectual property rights and other companies, including our competitors, could make claims against us alleging our infringement of their intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that we would prevail in such lawsuits. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business.

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the past and have remediated the previously identified material weaknesses in 2020. If our remedial measures in future years are unsuccessful or inadequate, our financial statements could include material misstatements.

During its evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019, management identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. During 2020, we identified and implemented remedial measures to address the control deficiencies that led to the material weaknesses. However, there can be no assurance that remedial measures will prevent other control deficiencies or material weaknesses, and we may identify additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. If we are unable to remediate the material weaknesses or we identify additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future, our ability to analyze, record and report financial information free of material misstatements, and to prepare our financial statements within the time periods specified by the rules and forms of the SEC may be adversely affected. The occurrence of, or failure to remediate, any further material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting may result in material misstatements, as well as negatively impact the reliability of our financial statements, our reputation, our business, and the trading price of our common stock, potentially leading to the suspension of trading on or delisting of our common stock from the NASDAQ stock exchange.

Risks Related to our Technology

If we do not remain an innovative leader in the real estate industry. Continuous poor weather or natural disasters negatively impact listingsindustry, we may not be able to grow our business and sales. Springleverage our costs to achieve profitability.

Innovation has been critical to our ability to compete against other brokerages for clients and summer seasons historically reflect greater sales periodsagents. For example, we have pioneered the utilization of a 3D immersive online office environment in comparison to fall and winter seasons. We have historically experienced lower revenues during the fall and winter seasons, as well as during periods of unseasonable weather,real estate market which reduces our operating income, net income, operating marginsneed for office space and cash flow.

Real estate listings precede sales and a periodfacilitates the transaction of poor listings activity will negatively impact revenue. Past performance in similar seasonsbusiness away from an office. If competitors follow our practices or during similar weather events can provide no assurance of future or current performance, and macroeconomic shifts in the markets we serve can conceal the impact of poor weather or seasonality.

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Home sales in successive quarters can fluctuate widely due to a wide variety of factors, including holidays, national or international emergencies, the school year calendar’s impact on timing of family relocations, interest rate changes, speculation of pending interest rate changes and the overall macroeconomic market. Our revenue and operating margins each quarter will remain subject to seasonal fluctuations, poor weather and natural disasters and macroeconomic market changes that may make it difficult to compare or analyze our financial performance effectively across successive quarters.

If we fail to protect the privacy of employees, independent contractors, or consumers or personal information that they share with us, our reputation and business could be significantly harmed.

Tens of thousands of consumers, independent contractors, and employees have shared personal information with us during the normal course of our business processing real estate transactions. This includes, but is not limited to, social security numbers, annual income amounts and sources, consumer names, addresses, telephone and cell phone numbers, and email addresses.

The Application, disclosure and safeguarding of this information is regulated by federal and state privacy laws. To comply with privacy laws, we invested resources and adopted a privacy policy outlining policies and procedures for the use of safeguarding personal information. This policy includes informing consumers, independent contractors and employees that we will not share their personal information with third parties without their consent unless required by law.

Privacy policies and compliance with federal and state privacy laws presents risk and we could incur legal liability for failing to maintain compliance. We may not become aware of all privacy laws, changes to privacy laws, or third- party privacy regulations governing the real estate business or be unable to comply with all of these regulations, given the rate of regulatory changes, ambiguities in regulations, contradictions in regulations between jurisdictions, and the difficulties in achieving both company-wide and region-specific knowledge and compliance.

Our policy and safeguards could be deemed insufficient if third parties with whom we have shared personal information fail to protect the privacy of that information. Our legal liability could include significant defense costs, settlement costs, damages and penalties, plus, damage our reputation with consumers, which could significantly damagedevelop innovative practices, our ability to attract customers. Anyachieve profitability may diminish or allerode. For example, certain other brokerages could develop or license cloud-based office platforms that are equal to or superior to ours. If we do not remain on the forefront of these consequences would resultinnovation, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability.

The market for Internet products and services including, without limitation, 3D immersive experiences, virtual reality and augmented reality is characterized by rapid technological developments, evolving industry standards and consumer demands, and frequent new product introductions and enhancements. The Company’s future success will depend in meaningful unfavorable impactsignificant part on our brand, business model, revenue, expenses, incomeits ability to continually improve the performance, features and margins.reliability of its Internet-based virtual environment, its tools and other properties in response to both evolving demands of the marketplace and competitive product offerings, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in doing so. In addition, the widespread adoption of new virtual reality and augmented reality applications through new technology developments could require fundamental changes in the Company’s services.

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Our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to expand, maintain and improve the systems and technologies which we rely on to operate.

As the number of agents and brokers in our company grows, our success will depend on our ability to expand, maintain and improve the technology that supports our business operations, including, but not limited to, our cloud office platform. Loss of key personnel or the lack of adequate staffing with the requisite expertise and training could impede our efforts in this regard. If our systems and technologies lack capacity or quality sufficient to service agents and their clients, then the number of agents who wish to use our products could decrease, the level of client service and transaction volume afforded by our systems could suffer, and our costs could increase. In addition, if our systems, procedures or controls are not adequate to provide reliable, accurate and timely financial and other reporting, we may not be able to satisfy regulatory scrutiny or contractual obligations with third parties and may suffer a loss of reputation. Any of these events could negatively affect our financial position.

Our business, financial condition and reputation may be substantially harmed by security breaches, interruptions, delays and failures in our systems and operations.

The performance and reliability of our systems and operations are critical to our reputation and ability to attract agents, teams of agents and brokers into our company as well as our ability to service home buyers and sellers. Our systems and operations are vulnerable to security breaches, interruption or malfunction due to certain events beyond our control, including natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fire and flood, power loss, telecommunication failures, break-ins, sabotage, computer viruses, intentional acts of vandalism and similar events. In addition, we rely on third party vendors to provide the cloud office platform and to provide additional systems and related support. If we cannot continue to retain these services on acceptable terms, our access to these systems and services could be interrupted. Any security breach, interruption, delay or failure in our systems and operations could substantially reduce the transaction volume that can be processed with our systems, impair quality of service, increase costs, prompt litigation and other consumer claims, and damage our reputation, any of which could substantially harm our financial condition.

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Loss of our current executive officers or other key management could significantly harm our business.

We depend on the industry experience and talent of our current executives, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Sanford; Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Whiteside, Chief Accounting Officer, Alan Goldman and Chief Executive Officer of eXp Realty, Jason Gesing. We believe that our future results will depend in part upon our ability to retain and attract highly skilled and qualified management. The loss of our executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our operations because other officers may not have the experience and expertise to readily replace these individuals. To the extent that one or more of our top executives or other key management personnel depart from the Company, our operations and business prospects may be adversely affected. In addition, changes in executives and key personnel could be disruptive to our business. The Company does not have any key person insurance.

Failure to protect intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business.

Our intellectual property rights, including existing and future trademarks, trade secrets, patents and copyrights, are important assets of the business. We have taken measures to protect our intellectual property, but these measures may not be sufficient or effective. We may bring lawsuits to protect against the potential infringement of our intellectual property rights and other companies, including our competitors, could make claims against us alleging our infringement of their intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that we would prevail in such lawsuits. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business.

Cybersecurity incidents could disrupt our business operations, result in the loss of critical and confidential information, adversely impact our reputation and harm our business.

Cybersecurity threats and incidents directed at us could range from uncoordinated individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to information technology systems to sophisticated and targeted measures aimed at disrupting business or gathering personal data of customers. In the ordinary course of our business, we and our agents and brokers collect and store sensitive data, including proprietary business information and personal information about our customers. Our business, and particularly our cloud-based platform, is reliant on the uninterrupted functioning of our information technology systems. The secure processing, maintenance, and transmission of information are critical to our operations, especially the processing and closing of real estate transactions. Although we employ measures designed to prevent, detect, address, and mitigate these threats (including access controls, data encryption, vulnerability assessments, and maintenance of backup and protective systems), cybersecurity incidents, depending on their nature and scope, could potentially result in the misappropriation, destruction, corruption, or unavailability of critical data and confidential or proprietary information (our own or that of third parties, including potentially sensitive personally information of our customers) and the disruption of business operations. Any such compromises to our security could cause harm to our reputation, which could cause customers to lose trust and confidence in us, or could cause agents and brokers to stop working for us. In addition, we may incur significant costs for remediation that may include liability for stolen assets or information, repair of system damage, and compensation to customers and business partners. We may also be subject to legal claims, government investigation, and additional state and federal statutory requirements.

The potential consequences of a material cybersecurity incident include regulatory violations of applicable U.S. and internationalforeign privacy and other laws, reputational damage, loss of market value, litigation with third parties (which could result in our exposure to material civil or criminal liability), diminution in the value of the services we provide to our customers, and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs (that may include liability for stolen assets or information), which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our competitiveness and results of operations.

Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters

We offer our independent agents the opportunity to earn additional commissions through our revenue sharing plan, which pays under a multi-tiered compensation structure similar in some respects to network marketing. Network marketing is subject to intense government scrutiny, and regulation and changes in the law, or the interpretation and enforcement of the law, might adversely affect our business.

Various laws and regulations in the United States and other countries regulate network marketing. These laws and regulations exist at many levels of government in many different forms, including statutes, rules, regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative orders. Network marketing regulations are inherently fact-based and often do not include "bright line" rules. Additionally, we are subject to the risk that the regulations, or a regulator's interpretation and enforcement of the regulations, could change. From time to time, we have received requests to supply information regarding our revenue sharing plan to regulatory agencies. We could potentially in the future be

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required to modify our revenue sharing plan in certain jurisdictions in order to comply with the interpretation of the regulations by local authorities.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has entered into several highly publicized settlements with network marketing companies that required those companies to modify their compensation plans and business models. Those settlements resulted from actions brought by the FTC involving a variety of alleged violations of consumer protection laws, including misleading earnings representations by the companies' independent distributors, as well as the legal validity of the companies' business model and distributor compensation plans. FTC determinations such as these have created an ambiguity regarding the proper interpretation of the law and regulations applicable to network marketing companies in the U.S. Although a consent decree between the FTC and a specific company does not represent judicial precedent, FTC officials have indicated that the network marketing industry should look to these consent decrees, and the principles contained therein, for guidance. Additionally, following the issuance of these consent decrees, the FTC issued non-binding guidance to the network marketing industry, suggesting it was intending to reinforce the principles contained in the consent decrees and provide other operational guidance to the network marketing industry.

While we strive to ensure that our overall business model, and revenue sharing plan, are regulatory compliant in each of our markets, we cannot assure you that a regulator, if it were to review our business, would agree with our assessment and would not require us to change one or more aspects of our operations. Any action against us in the future by the FTC or another regulator could materially and adversely affect our operations.

We cannot predict the nature of any future law, regulation, or guidance, nor can we predict what effect additional governmental regulations, judicial decisions, or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, would have on our business. Failure by us, or our independent agents, to comply with these laws, could adversely affect our business.

We face significant risk to our brand and revenue if we fail to maintain compliance with the law and regulations of federal, state, county and foreign governmental authorities, or private associations and governing boards.

We operate in a heavily regulated industry subject to complex, federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations within the markets in which we operate and third-party organizations’ regulations, policies and bylaws governing the real estate business.

In general, the laws, rules and regulations that apply to our business practices include, without limitation, RESPA, the federal Fair Housing Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and federal advertising and other laws, as well as comparable state statutes; rules of trade organizations such as NAR, local MLSs, and state and local AORs; licensing requirements and related obligations that could arise from our business practices relating to the provision of services other than real estate brokerage services; privacy regulations relating to our use of personal information collected from the registered users of our websites; laws relating to the use and publication of information through the Internet; and state real estate brokerage licensing requirements, as well as statutory due diligence, disclosure, record keeping and standard-of-care obligations relating to these licenses.

Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act contains the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act (“Mortgage Act”), which imposes a number of additional requirements on lenders and servicers of residential mortgage loans, by amending certain existing provisions and adding new sections to RESPA and other federal laws. It also broadly prohibits unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices, and knowingly or recklessly providing substantial assistance to a covered person in violation of that prohibition. The penalties for noncompliance with these laws are also significantly increased by the Mortgage Act, which could lead to an increase in lawsuits against mortgage lenders and servicers.

As we expand our business into new international markets, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Portugal, Mexico, South Africa, India, and France, we are subject to additional foreign governmental regulation. Ensuring compliance with these newly applicable laws could substantially increase our operating expenses. In addition, entry into these new markets exposes us to increased risk and liability. For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) confers significant privacy rights on individuals (including employees and independent agents), and materially increased penalties for violations. A violation of any of these applicable laws could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Maintaining legal compliance is challenging and increases our costs due to resources required to continually monitor business practices for compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to monitor changes in the applicable laws themselves.

We may not become aware of all the laws, rules and regulations that govern our business, or be able to comply with all of them, given the rate of regulatory changes, ambiguities in regulations, contradictions in regulations between jurisdictions, and the difficulties in achieving both company-wide and region-specific knowledge and compliance.

If we fail, or we have alleged to have failed, to comply with any existing or future applicable laws, rules and regulations, we could be subject to lawsuits and administrative complaints and proceedings, as well as criminal proceedings. Our noncompliance could result in significant defense costs, settlement costs, damages and penalties.

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Our business licenses could be suspended or revoked, our business practices enjoined, or we could be required to modify our business practices, which could materially impair, or even prevent, our ability to conduct all or any portion of our business. Any such events could also damage our reputation and impair our ability to attract and service home buyers, home sellers and agents, as well our ability to attract brokerages, brokers, teams of agents and agents to our company, without increasing our costs.

Further, if we lose our ability to obtain and maintain all of the regulatory approvals and licenses necessary to conduct business as we currently operate, our ability to conduct business may be harmed. Lastly, any lobbying or related activities we undertake in response to mitigate liability of current or new regulations could substantially increase our operating expenses.

We may suffer significant financial harm and loss of reputation if we do not comply, cannot comply, or are alleged to have not complied with applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning our classification and compensation practices for the agents in our owned-and-operated brokerage.

Except for our employed state brokers and commission only employees, all real estate professionals in our brokerage operations have been retained as independent contractors, either directly or indirectly through third-party entities formed by these independent contractors for their business purposes. With respect to these independent contractors, like most brokerage firms, we are subject to the taxing authorities’ regulations and applicable laws regarding independent contractor classification. These regulations and guidelines are subject to judicial and agency interpretation, and it might be determined that the independent contractor classification is inapplicable to any of our affiliated real estate professionals. Further, if legal standards for classification of real estate professionals as independent contractors change or appear to be changing, it may be necessary to modify our compensation and benefits structure for our affiliated real estate professionals in some or all of our markets, including by paying additional compensation or reimbursing expenses.

In the future we could incur substantial costs, penalties and damages, including back pay, unpaid benefits, taxes, expense reimbursement and attorneys’ fees, in defending future challenges by our affiliated real estate professionals to our employment classification or compensation practices.

We are subject to certain risks related to litigation filed by or against us, and adverse results may harm our business and financial condition.

We are subject to risk of, and are from time to time involved in, or may in the future be subject to, claims, suits, government investigations, and proceedings arising from our business, including actions with respect to intellectual property, privacy, information security, data protection or law enforcement matters, tax matters, labor and employment, including claims challenging the classification of our agents and brokers as independent contractors and compliance with wage and hour regulations, and claims alleging violations of RESPA or state consumer fraud statutes, and commercial arrangements. We are also subject to risk related to shareholder derivative actions, standard brokerage disputes like the failure to disclose hidden defects in a property such as mold, vicarious liability based upon conduct of individuals or entities outside of our control, including our agents, brokers, third-party service or product providers, and purported class action lawsuits.

We cannot predict with certainty the cost of defense, the cost of prosecution, insurance coverage or the ultimate outcome of litigation and other proceedings filed by or against us, including remedies or damage awards. Adverse results in such litigation and other proceedings may harm our business and financial condition. Such litigation and other proceedings may include, but are not limited to, actions relating to intellectual property, commercial arrangements, negligence and fiduciary duty claims arising from our company owned brokerage operations, actions against our title company alleging it knew or should have known others were committing mortgage fraud, standard brokerage disputes like the failure to disclose hidden defects in a property such as mold, vicarious liability based upon conduct of individuals or entities outside of our control, including our agents, brokers, third-party service or product provides, antitrust claims, general fraud claims, employment law claims, including claims challenging the classification of our agents and brokers as independent contractors and compliance with wage and hour regulations, and claims alleging violations of RESPA or state consumer fraud statutes. In addition, classClass action lawsuits can often be particularly burdensome given the breadth of claims, large potential damages and significant costs of defense. In the case of intellectual property litigation and proceedings, adverse outcomes could include the cancellation, invalidation or other loss of material intellectual property rights used in our business and injunctions prohibiting our use of business processes or technology that is subject to third party patents or other third party intellectual property rights. In addition, we may be required to enter into licensing agreements (if available on acceptable terms) and be required to pay royalties.

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. We know of no material, active or pending legal proceedings against our company, norAt present, we are wenot involved as a plaintiff in any material pending legal proceeding, or pending litigation. Thereand there are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates or any registered or beneficial stockholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.

If we fail to protect the privacy and personal information of our customers, agents or employees, we may be subject to legal claims, government action and damage to our reputation.

RiskHundreds of thousands of consumers, independent contractors, and employees have shared personal information with us during the normal course of our business processing real estate transactions. This includes, but is not limited to, social security numbers, annual income amounts and sources, consumer names, addresses, telephone and cell phone numbers, and email addresses. To run our business, it is essential for us to store and transmit this sensitive information in our systems and networks. At the same time, we are subject to numerous laws, regulations, and other requirements that require businesses like ours to protect the security of personal information, notify customers and other individuals about our privacy practices, and limit the use, disclosure, or transfer of personal data across country borders. Regulators in the U.S. and abroad continue to enact comprehensive new laws or legislative reforms imposing significant

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privacy and cybersecurity restrictions. The result is that we are subject to increased regulatory scrutiny, additional contractual requirements from corporate customers, and heightened compliance costs. These ongoing changes to privacy and cybersecurity laws also may make it more difficult for us to operate our business and may have a material adverse effect on our operations. For example, the European Union’s GDPR conferred new and significant privacy rights on individuals (including employees and independent agents), and materially increased penalties for violations. In the U.S., California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act—which went into full effect in 2020—imposing new and comprehensive requirements on organizations that collect and disclose personal information about California residents. In March 2017, the New York Department of Financial Services’ cybersecurity regulation went into effect, requiring regulated financial institutions to establish a detailed cybersecurity program. Program requirements include corporate governance, incident planning, data management, system testing, vendor oversight, and regulator notification rules. Now, other state regulatory agencies are expected to enact similar requirements following the adoption of the Insurance Data Security Model Law by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that is consistent with the New York regulation.

Any significant violations of privacy and cybersecurity could result in the loss of new or existing business, litigation, regulatory investigations, the payment of fines, damages, and penalties and damage to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We could also be adversely affected if legislation or regulations are expanded to require changes in our business practices or if governing jurisdictions interpret or implement their legislation or regulations in ways that negatively affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

In addition, while we disclose our information collection and dissemination practices in a published privacy statement on our websites, which we may modify from time to time, we may be subject to legal claims, government action and damage to our reputation if we act or are perceived to be acting inconsistently with the terms of our privacy statement, customer expectations or state, national and international regulations. Our policy and safeguards could be deemed insufficient if third parties with whom we have shared personal information fail to protect the privacy of that information.

The occurrence of a significant claim in excess of our insurance coverage or which is not covered by our insurance in any given period could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations during the period. In the event we or the vendors with which we contract to provide services on behalf of our customers were to suffer a breach of personal information, our customers and independent agents could terminate their business with us. Further, we may be subject to claims to the extent individual employees or independent contractors breach or fail to adhere to Company policies and practices and such actions jeopardize any personal information. Our legal liability could include significant defense costs, settlement costs, damages and penalties, plus, damage our reputation with consumers, which could significantly damage our ability to attract customers. Any or all of these consequences would result in meaningful unfavorable impact on our brand, business model, revenue, expenses, income and margins.

In addition, concern among potential home buyers or sellers about our privacy practices could result in regulatory investigations, especially in the European Union as related to the GDPR. Additionally, concern among potential home buyers or sellers could keep them from using our services or require us to incur significant expense to alter our business practices or educate them about how we use personal information.

Risks Related to Our Stock

Glenn Sanford, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, together with Penny Sanford, a significant shareholder, Jason Gesing, a director and the Chief Executive Officer of eXp Realty, and Gene Frederick, a director, own a significant percentage of our stock and have agreed to act as a group on any matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders. As a result, the trading price for our shares may be depressed, and they can take actions that may be adverse to the interests of our other stockholders.

On February 16, 2021, Glenn Sanford, beneficially owns approximately 36% of our outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2018. Penny Sanford, beneficially owns approximately 27% of our outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2018. In December 2017 Mr. SanfordJason Gesing, and Ms. SanfordGene Frederick filed aan amended Schedule 13D with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (“SEC”) indicatingwhich disclosed that they beneficially owned approximately 58.4% of our outstanding common stock as of February 16, 2021, and that they had entered into an agreementagreed to vote their shares as a group with respect to the election of directors and any other matter on which our shares of common stock are entitled to vote. This significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companiesa company with a controlling stockholder group. The group can significantly influence all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election and removal of directors and any proposed merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, due to his significant ownership stake and his service as our Principal Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board and Director,of Directors, Mr. Sanford controls the management of our business and affairs. Together, Messrs. Sanford, Gesing, and Frederick hold three of our seven board seats. This concentration of ownership and control could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control, or impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other business combination that could be favorable to our other stockholders.

17

We are a “controlled company” within the meaning of NASDAQ rules, and, as a result, we qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.

As of February 16, 2021, Glenn Sanford, Penny Sanford, Jason Gesing, and Gene Frederick beneficially owned approximately 58.4% of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock. Accordingly, we qualify as a “controlled company” within the meaning of NASDAQ corporate governance standards.

Under NASDAQ rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group, or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain NASDAQ corporate governance standards, including:

the requirement that a majority of the members of our board of directors be independent directors;
the requirement that our nominating and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities;
the requirement that we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter for addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and
the requirement for an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees.

We intend to use these exemptions. As a result, we will not have a majority of independent directors, our compensation and our nominating and corporate governance committees will not consist entirely of independent directors, and such committees may not be subject to annual performance evaluations. Consequently, our stockholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NASDAQ corporate governance rules and requirements. Our status as a controlled company could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.

Because we can issue additional shares of common stock, our stockholders may experience dilution in the future.

We are authorized to issue up to 220,000,000 shares of common stock, of which approximately 61.0 million146,677,786 shares were issued, and 144,143,292 shares were outstanding as of March 10, 2019.December 31, 2020. Our boardBoard of directorsDirectors has the authority to cause us to issue additional shares of common stock without consent of any of our stockholders. Consequently, thecurrent stockholders may experience more dilution in their ownership of our common stock in the future.

14


The stock price of our common stock has been and likely will continue to be volatile and may decline in value regardless of our performance.

The market price for our common stock could fluctuate significantly for various reasons, many of which are outside our control, including those described above and the following:

·

our operating and financial performance and prospects;

·

future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, including but not limited to shares we may issue as consideration for acquisitions or investments;

·

housing and mortgage finance markets;

·

our quarterly or annual earnings or those of other companies in our industry;

·

the public'spublic’s reaction to our press releases, other public announcements and filings with the SEC;

·

changes in recommendations or analysis of our prospects by securities analysts who track our common stock;

·

market and industry perception of our success, or lack thereof, in pursuing our growth strategy;

·

strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;

·

actual or potential changes in laws, regulations and regulatory interpretations, including as a result of the 2017 Tax Act;

interpretations;

·

changes in interest rates;

·

changes in demographics relating to housing such as household formation or other consumer preferences toward home ownership;

·

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

·

arrival and departure of key personnel;

·

adverse resolution of new or pending litigation or regulatory proceedings against us; and

·

government and health organization restrictions within the domestic and international locations in which we operate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

changes in general market, economic and political conditions in the United States and global economies.

18

In addition, the stock markets have experienced periods of high price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of the equity securities of many companies, including technology companies and real estate brokerages. Such price fluctuatedfluctuations can be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, stockholders have instituted securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business, and harm our business.

Because we do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the near future, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them.

We intend to retain any future earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the near future. The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of the board of directors, and will depend upon, among other things, the results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors as the board of directors considers relevant. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend. Unless we pay dividends, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless they sell them.

DelawareDelaware law and our organizational documents may impede or discourage a takeover, which could deprive our investors of the opportunity to receive a premium for their shares.

We are a Delaware corporation, and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law impose various impediments to the ability of a third party to acquire control of us, even if a change of control would be beneficial to our existing stockholders. In addition, provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may make it more difficult for, or prevent a third party from, acquiring control of us without the approval of our Board of Directors. Among other things, these provisions:

·

do not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would otherwise allow less than a majority of stockholders to elect director candidates;

·

delegate the sole power to a majority of the Board of Directors to fix the number of directors;

·

provide the power to our Board of Directors to fill any vacancy on our Board of Directors, whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise;

·

eliminate the ability of stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders; and

·

establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

15


The foregoing factors could impede a merger, takeover or other business combination or discourage a potential investor from making a tender offer for our common stock which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market value of our common stock and our investors'investors’ ability to realize any potential change-in-control premium.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Item 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

Item 2. PROPERTIES

Item 2.

PROPERTIES

Our principal corporate office is located at 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301, in Bellingham, Washington where we lease anWA, and is leased office space that expires on December 31, 2019.space. We also lease small office spaces in a number of Statesregions in which we operate, in order to comply with state regulatory and licensing requirements within those jurisdictions and, in certain instances, to provide office space to our managing state brokers and drop-in space for our agents. In some of these instances, the state managing brokers are financially responsible for a significant portion of the rental expense associated with a leased office space. We generally do not provide office space for the agents other than for drop-in service. We do not own any real property. We believe that leased facilities are adequate to meet current needs and that additional facilities will be available for lease to meet future needs.

Item 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Refer to Part II, Item 3. LEGAL P8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere within this report.

ROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are subject to potential liability under laws and government regulations and various claims and legal actions that may be asserted against us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations or financial condition.

There are no matters pending or, to our knowledge, threatened that we expect to have a material adverse impact on our business, reputation, results of operations or financial condition.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Item 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

19

PART II

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

Item 5.

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

Market Information

OurThe common stock of eXp World Holdings, Inc. (“eXp”, or, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is quotedtraded on the NASDAQ Global Market operated by NASDAQ, Inc. under the trading symbol “EXPI”. As of March 10, 2019, there are 60,978,604 issued and outstanding shares of our common stock held by a total of approximately 5,900 stockholders of record.

Trading in our common stock quoted on the NASDAQ is often thin andGlobal Market is characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices due to many factors, some of which may have little to do with our company’sCompany’s operations or business prospects. We cannot assure youinvestors that there will be a market for our common stock in the future.

Holders of Record

Transfer Agent

Our transfer agent is Island Stock Transfer with an office at 15500 Roosevelt Boulevard, Suite 301, Clearwater, Florida 33760.

As of February 22, 2021, there were approximately 60,000 stockholders of record.

Dividends

We haveThe Company has not declared any dividends since incorporation and do not anticipate that we will do so in the foreseeable future. Although there are no restrictions that limit the ability to paypaid cash dividends on ourits common stock our intention is to retain future earnings, if any, for use in our operations and the expansion of our business.

 Recent Sales of Securities

Duringprevious periods, including during the year ended December 31, 2018,2020. Payment of cash dividends is at the Company issued:

16


97,371 shares of our Common Stock as partial consideration for the assets of VirBELA, LLC.;

The issuances of shares were exempt from registration in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2)discretion of the Securities Act.Company’s Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and plans for growth. Under Delaware law, we can only pay dividends either out of surplus or out of the current or the immediately preceding year’s earnings. Therefore, no assurance is given that we will pay any dividends to our common stockholders, or as to the amount of any such dividends.

Common Stock Split

On January 15, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend to shareholders of record as of January 29, 2021 (the “Stock Split”). The Stock Split was effected on February 12, 2021. All shares, restricted stock units (“RSU”), stock options, and per share information have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

We may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices, depending on market conditions, through open market or privately negotiated transactions. No date has been established for the completion of the share repurchase program, and we are not obligated to repurchase any shares. Subject to applicable corporate securities laws, repurchases may be made at such times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. Repurchases under the program can be discontinued at any time management feels additional repurchases are not warranted.

None.

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Refer to Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity to the consolidated financial statements herein for more details regarding our stock repurchase program.

The following table summarizesprovides information about repurchases of our consolidated financial data.  The consolidated statement of operations data forcommon stock during the yearsquarter ended December 31, 2018 and 20172020:

Period

Total number of shares purchased

Average price paid per share

Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (1)

Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs

10/1/20 - 10/31/20

60,550

$ 51.47

60,550

$ 386,636,510

11/1/20 - 11/30/20

58,859

46.36

58,859

383,914,917

12/1/20 - 12/31/20

45,333

67.43

45,333

380,914,933

Total

164,742

$ 55.09

164,742

(1)The repurchase program began on January 2, 2019 and was set to expire on June 28, 2019. On June 12, 2019, the Company, under authorization from the Board of Directors, amended the plan. The amended plan extended the repurchase program through December 31, 2019. On November 26, 2019, the Company announced the approval to increase the authorization limits of the Company’s stock repurchase program by the Board. The Board agreed to extend the stock repurchase program through the fourth quarter of 2020 and to increase the authorization for the stock repurchase program from $25.0 million to $75.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The Company discontinued the repurchase program in March 2020 and subsequently reinstated it in June 2020 with a maximum authorization of $75.0 million. In December 2020, the Board approved an increase to the total amount of its buyback program from $75.0 million to $400.0 million. The stock repurchase program is more fully disclosed in Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity to the consolidated financial statements. Repurchased shares were not impacted by the Stock Split; therefore, the number of shares and average price paid per share are reported on a pre-Stock Split basis.

Company Stock Performance

The following stock performance table is not deemed “soliciting material” or subject to Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

20

The following graph compares the performance of our common stock to the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index, the S&P MidCap 400 Index, the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index, and the consolidated balance sheet dataS&P Internet Select Industry Index by assuming $100 was invested in each investment option as of December 31,February 28, 2018, which represents the month our common stock began trading on the NASDAQ. The S&P 500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of domestic equities of the largest companies traded on the NYSE and 2017 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.NASDAQ. The statementS&P MidCap 400 Index measures the performance of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015U.S. middle market capitalization (“midcap”) equities sector. The S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index is a diversified group of holdings representing home building, building products, home furnishings and 2014home appliances. The S&P Internet Select Industry Index is comprised of U.S. equities of internet and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016, 2015direct marketing retail, internet services and 2014 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements not included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The selected consolidated financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our annual consolidated financial statementsinfrastructure, and accompanying notesinteractive media and "Management’sservices companies.

Graphic

Year

Feb-18

Dec-18

Dec-19

Dec-20

EXPI

$ 100

$ 55

$ 88

$ 618

S&P 500 Index

$ 100

$ 92

$ 119

$ 136

Mid Cap 400 Index

$ 100

$ 89

$ 111

$ 123

S&P Homebuilders Index (XHB)

$ 100

$ 81

$ 114

$ 148

S&P Internet Index (XWEB)

$ 100

$ 100

$ 109

$ 213

Item 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Reserved.

Item 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

17




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

As of Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

$

500,147,681 

$

156,104,544 

$

53,555,725 

$

22,464,306 

$

13,368,905 

Total expenses

 

522,532,196 

 

178,136,198 

 

60,927,558 

 

24,320,560 

 

13,335,473 

Income (loss) from operations

 

(22,384,515)

 

(22,031,654)

 

(7,371,833)

 

(1,856,254)

 

33,432 

Other Income and (expenses)

 

31,959 

 

(2,077)

 

(355)

 

(1,104)

 

(942)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(77,800)

 

(97,234)

 

(42,528)

 

(103,069)

 

71,353 

Net income (loss)

 

(22,430,356)

 

(22,130,965)

 

(7,414,716)

 

(1,960,427)

 

103,843 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (a)

 

 

 

 

 

29,801 

 

21,526 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiary

 

(22,430,356)

 

(22,130,965)

 

(7,384,915)

 

(1,938,901)

 

103,843 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

(0.39)

 

(0.42)

 

(0.14)

 

(0.04)

 

0.00 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

(0.39)

 

(0.42)

 

(0.14)

 

(0.04)

 

0.00 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

57,689,920 

 

53,194,928 

 

51,081,949 

 

49,409,266 

 

48,068,047 

Diluted

 

57,689,920 

 

53,194,928 

 

51,081,949 

 

49,409,266 

 

51,735,865 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

20,538,057 

 

4,672,034 

 

1,684,608 

 

571,814 

 

353,374 

Total assets

 

55,846,028 

(b)

14,637,131 

 

6,104,047 

 

1,256,716 

 

913,170 

Total Liabilities

 

25,866,399 

(c)

10,376,460 

 

3,577,021 

 

664,210 

 

499,504 

Equity

 

29,979,629 

 

4,260,671 

 

2,527,026 

 

592,506 

 

413,666 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

Operating Statistics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close homesale sides (d)

 

74,678 

 

25,299 

 

8,560 

 

3,812 

 

2,196 

Homesales volume (e)

$

19,844,237,031 

$

6,083,479,207 

$

1,994,624,240 

$

887,225,758 

$

495,031,237 

Average homesale price (f)

$

265,731 

$

240,463 

$

233,017 

$

232,745 

$

225,424 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) AsOperations (“MD&A”) is intended to inform the reader about matters affecting the financial condition and results of operations of eXp World Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, the Company acquired previously outstanding non-controlling interest in First Cloud Mortgage, Inc., resulting in a 100% interest.  Upon obtaining 100% interest, the Company inactivated First Cloud Mortgage, Inc.

(b) Total assets include $10,607,800 of the acquired identifiable assets and goodwill resulting from the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of VirBELA.

(c) Includes the long-term portion of future deliveries of the Company’s common stock valued at $1,654,337, calculated using a discount rate of 10% as consideration paid resulting from the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of VirBELA.

(d) Represents homesales sides on either the “buy” side or the “sell” side of a homesales transaction.

(e) Represents the volume of closed homesales transactions.

(f) Represents the average selling price of closed homesales transactions.

18


Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2020. The following discussion should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere within this report. The Management’s DiscussionThis discussion contains forward-looking statements that constitute our estimates, plans, and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements.beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. – Risk Factors” included elsewhere within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions associated with these statements.

This section generally discusses items pertaining to and comparisons of financial results between 2020 and 2019. Discussions of 2018 items and comparisons between 2019 and 2018 financial results can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 MD&A”). The 2019 MD&A is incorporated by reference herein from Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 12, 2020 (Commission File No. 001-38493).

21

This MD&A is divided into the following sections:

Overview
Market Conditions and Industry Trends
Key Business Metrics
Recent Business Developments
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

All dollar amounts are in USD thousands except share amounts and per share data and as otherwise noted.

OVERVIEW

Our Company

eXp World Holdings, Inc., (the “Company”, “eXp”, “we”, “us”, “our”), is a holding company with our main operating division being a cloud-based international residentialWe operate one of the world’s fastest growing real estate brokerage (“eXp Realty”),businesses utilizing a cloud-based model that enables a variety of businesses to operate remotely and supported by a technology platform that allows our independent agents and brokers the largest single owned residential real estate brokerage by geography in North America.  We operate across the United Statesability to provide a suite of more efficient and cost effective services to home buyers and sellers.

While we do not consider acquisitions a critical element of our ongoing business, we seek opportunities to expand and enhance our portfolio of solutions.

Strategy

Our strategy is to grow organically in the provinces of Alberta, OntarioNorth American and British Columbia, Canada.  Our operations are focused on the development and use of cloud-based technologies in order to grow ancertain international brokerage without the burden of physical brick and mortar offices or redundant staffing costs.

In October 2018, the Company purchased certain technology and intellectual property of the ShowMeNow application to expandmarkets by increasing our products and service offerings.  ShowMeNow is an on-demand mobile application that enables home shoppers to request immediate showings of properties, giving buyers flexible, real-time access to properties.

In November 2018, eXp World Holdings, Inc. and its newly formed subsidiary, eXp World Technologies, LLC acquired substantially all the assets of VirBELA.  VirBELA provides a cloud-based environment focused on educational and innovative learning technology for clients in various industries.  The acquisition of VirBELA’s core group of products and services will allow eXp Realty to continue to accelerate its business in a sustainable and innovative way, which is consistent with eXp World Holdings’ vision to expand the product offering to agents, teams and others who could benefit from their own, always available environments for collaboration.   

Continued Accelerated Growth

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we increased our net real estate brokerageindependent agent and broker base by 139.1%, from 6,511 at December 31, 2017network. Additionally, we intend to 15,570.  This increase occurred in both newcontinue our advancement into more international markets. Through our cloud-based operations and existing geographical markets and contributedtechnology platform, we strive to our increase in revenue of 220.4% as comparedachieve customer-focused efficiencies that allow us to December 31, 2017.

The rate of growth of our agent and broker base is difficult to predict and is subject to many factors outside of our control, including actions taken by our competitors and macroeconomic factors affecting the real estate industry in general.  We can provide no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain our agent growth rate or that our agent and broker base will continue to increase in future periods.

19


Agent Ownership

The Company maintains an equity incentive program whereby agents and brokers of eXp Realty can become eligible for awards of the Company’s common stock through the achievement of production and agent attraction benchmarks. Under our equity incentive program, agents and brokers who qualify are issued shares of the Company’s common stock.

The Company also administers a program whereby agents and brokers can establish a direct ownership interest in the Company as a shareholder.  Agents and brokers can elect to receive 5% of their commission payable in the form of Company common stock which is issued at a 20% discount to market on the date of issuance. In 2018, approximately 9,500 eXp Realty agents and brokers took advantage of this program resulting in the issuance of 1,684,601 shares of common stock. This agent equity program continues to be another element in creating a culture of agent-ownership. 

Outlook

As we continue to scale our Company in the future and increase market share and attain strong returns as we aspirescale our business within the markets in which we operate. By building partnerships and strategically deploying capital, we seek to realize gross margins at or near low double digits, resultinggrow the business and enter into attractive verticals and markets.

During 2020, we believe that we made progress towards achieving our strategic goals, including an increase in Adjusted EBITDA margins in the lower single digits.  Though we have reported decreasing gross margins over the last few fiscal years we expectour agent count of 63%. The expected outcome of these activities will be to continue developing and offering additional servicesbetter position us to deliver on our agents and brokers in additionfull potential, to considering making small adjustments to existing programs in an effort to realize these types of margins.  See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional information andprovide a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA. 

These operating ambitions are not forecasts and do not reflect our expectations, but rather are aspirational targetsplatform for future performance that may never be realized.  These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptionsgrowth opportunities, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in them.  Factors include, among others, (i) changes in demand for the Company’s services and changes in consumer behavior; (ii) macroeconomic conditions beyondachieve our control; (iii) the Company’s ability to effectively maintain its infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives; (iv) the impact of governmental regulations related to the Company’s operations; and other factors, as described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”long-term financial goals.

RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

Initiatives

Customer and Employee Experience

The Company has recently embarked on a deep initiative to better understand both its customer and employee experience. In doing so, we are adopting many of the principles of the Net Promoter Score® (“NPS”) across many aspects of our organization. Whether it be the overall question "How likely are you to recommend eXp to your colleagues, friends or family?" or more granular inquiries as to specific workflows or service offerings, we believe this will ensure we are delivering on the most important values to our customers and employees. In turn, this often leads to raving fans of eXp who will promote our Company and continue leading us to through strong organic growth.

This also ties into one of our core values, transparency. While we strive for high satisfaction, a low or trending lower NPS score is equally important to identify. As NPS scores are often leading indicators to customers and employees’ future actions, we are able to learn quickly what may be a ‘pain point’ or product that is not meeting its desired objective. We then take that information and translate that into action with an effort to remediate the specific root cause(s) driving the lower score. This fast and iterative approach has already led to improvements in such parts of our business such as agent onboarding, commission transaction processing, and employee benefits.

Open Platform Strategy

The Company continues to build out eXp Enterprise (“Enterprise”) which is our proprietary platform that manages all of eXp Realty’s critical processes and information, including onboarding new agents, transactions, commission payments and other back office processes. We recently decided to further embrace the concept of an open platform strategy as it relates to other key functionality and solutions which our agents and brokers utilize to run their businesses.

Why are we taking this approach? -  First and foremost, we believe in the efficiency of choice and flexibility. We do not believe in a one size fits all when it comes to business solutions for every single eXp agent and broker. This approach validates the previous investments made by our agents and brokers as it relates to the specific solutions to run their individual businesses.

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What specifically does this mean? - We will be building out Application Program Interfaces (“API”) which will allow for various third-party solutions to directly connect into Enterprise. Accordingly, this will allow our agents and brokers to choose which solution works best for them as it relates to their desired lead generation, customer relationship management, transaction management, Internet Data Exchange (“IDX”) websites, among others.

How will we deliver this concept? - In addition to building out the technological infrastructure we will also establish an eXp Partner Marketplace. This will allow for a validation process of potential third-party service providers as well as consistent utilization of APIs to ultimately seamless use of tools by our agents and brokers.


Equity

On December 27, 2018, the Company introduced its Sustainable Equity Plan for real estate agents and brokers at eXp realty once the agent count was to exceed 16,000 agents which occurred in January of 2019. The following examples correlate to stock grants our agents and brokers will receive based on certain milestones and performance metrics.

·

First completed transaction with eXp Realty: $200 worth of eXp World Holdings common stock.

·

When agent caps: $400 worth of eXp World Holdings common stock.

·

For directly attracting another agent to the company and upon the closing of that agent’s first transaction with eXp Realty: $400 worth of eXp World Holdings common stock.

·

When named an ICON agent: Up to $16,000 worth of eXp World Holdings common stock, eligible on a yearly basis. $12,000 is awarded and vests after three years, and an additional $2,000 will be issued after each company event (The eXp Shareholder Summit and EXPCON) with no vesting period, for a possible total of $4,000.

Also, on December 27, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to offset equity issuances for up to $25 million of company common stock.

The repurchase program will help offset equity issuances that the Company awards to its agents for meeting certain milestones in the Sustainable Equity Plan.  Purchases under the repurchase program will comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The timing and amount of shares repurchased will depend upon market conditions.  The repurchase program does not require the company to acquire a specific number of shares.  As the Company continues to grow its cash balance, the cost of the shares repurchased will be funded from available working capital.  Any shares repurchased under the program will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of common stock.

VirBELA

We will continue developing the core platform and its underlying infrastructure to accommodate for the ever increasing use and scale required to support our eXp Realty division. Also in development and coming to market soon is a new product centered around the concept of an open campus whereby small and independent organizations will utilize sub spaces as part of a larger campus similar to co-working environments that currently exist in the physical brick and mortar world. Lastly, we will continue to service existing and new business to business enterprise level contracts in the coming year.

Agile at Scale

The Company continues to focus and refine its efforts on our engagement strategy to build a positive employee experience to advance creativity, productivity and service quality to retain top performing talent with the overall goal of growing and improving overall profitability. We have been and will continue to form more and more smaller functional teams across the entire organization. This allows for faster identification of challenges and opportunities, autonomy and decision making, and execution affecting our customers and employees. This is tied together by ensuring all teams are aligned and working towards outcomes consistent with our vision, goals, and key results.

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MARKET CONDITIONS AND INDUSTRY TRENDS

Our business is dependent on the economic conditions within the markets for which we operate. Changes in these conditions can have a positive or negative impact on our business. The economic conditions influencing the housing markets primarily include economic growth, interest rates, unemployment, consumer confidence, mortgage availability and supply and demand.

Home Sale TransactionsIn periods of economic growth, demand typically increases resulting in increasing home sales transactions and home sales prices. Similarly, a decline in economic growth, increasing interest rates and declining consumer confidence generally decreases demand. Additionally, regulations imposed by local, state, and federal government agencies, and geopolitical instability, can also negatively impact the housing markets for which we operate.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic materially and adversely affected businesses worldwide. The magnitude and duration of the impact from COVID-19 are not fully known and cannot be reasonably estimated. While the pandemic has been ongoing for much of the fiscal year, there is still significant volatility and uncertainty surrounding the outlook of the global economy. The impact to the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020 has been less significant than anticipated. We believe that once COVID-19 is further contained the economy will continue to rebound depending on the continued pace, rate, and effectiveness of lifting public health restrictions on businesses and individuals and how quickly people become comfortable engaging in public activities.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR)(“NAR”), the housing market is past the recovery phase from the initial downturn during the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic. Current home sales are now at pre-pandemic level, which is due to significant increase in demand. The sizable shift to remote work, which has led to current homeowners looking for larger homes and vacation homes, and the continued historic low interest rates have accelerated housing demand. These low mortgage rates are also allowing more buyers to enter the market. According to the NAR housing statistics, existing home sale transactions of single family homes decreased 10.0% during Fiscal 2018.  During this same period,sales, adjusted for seasonality, totaled 6.8 million in 2020, up 22.2% from 2019 and the averagemost annual home sales pricesince the 2008 recession. However, housing inventory declined to 1.07 million and a 1.9-month supply, which are both historic lows. The NAR reported that pending home sales slipped 0.3% in December 2020, indicating a slowing in contract activity, mostly impacted by seasonally activity and inventory levels. The index measures housing

22

contract activity and is based on signed real estate contracts for existing single-family homes and condos. However, given the overall uncertainty of the global pandemic, we continue to monitor and assess any potential impacts of the pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition as well as recognize the uncertainty inherent in the NAR forecast.

The Company is positioned to continue to grow in light of a series of fluctuations in economic activity and performed better than expected throughout 2020. However, depending on the continued course of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in key areas of operations, it is too early to predict the full extent of the effects the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our Company moving into 2021.

Regardless of whether the housing market continues to grow or slows, we believe that we are positioned to leverage our low-cost, high-engagement model, affording agents and brokers increased 3.0%.  Factors that may have contributedincome and ownership opportunities while offering a scalable solution to brokerage owners looking to survive and thrive in a series of fluctuations in economic activity.

National Housing Inventory

Prior to December 31, 2020, increased demand and low mortgage rates caused inventory levels to decline to record lows. With government implemented actions in response to COVID-19, fewer individuals are listing their homes and construction of new homes has slowed. Due to these factors, year over year inventory has decreased further. According to the decline in home sales transactions include mortgage rate increases, continued inventory constraints and income tax reform. 

Inventory

TheNAR, inventory of existing homes for sale in the U.S. increased 4.8% (preliminary)was 1.1 million as of December 31, 2018,2020 (preliminary) compared to 1.4 million at the same period in 2017.  The inventory represents a national average supply of 4.0 (preliminary) months, asend of December 31, 2018, at2019. The NAR indicated the currentneed for new home sales pace which is up from 3.9 months asconstruction due to the high demand of December 31, 2017.homes and the record-low inventory levels.

Mortgage Rates

According to the NAR, mortgage rates on commitments for 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.1% for the 2020, compared to 3.9% for 2019. Mortgage rates are forecasted to decrease to 3.0% throughout 2021 and increase minimally to 3.4% in 2022. Mortgage rates are expected to remain low through 2021. Low mortgage rates are expected to continue to contribute to overall high demand for home-buying.

Housing Affordability Index

Also, accordingAccording to the NAR, the composite housing affordability index decreasedincreased to 147.6 (preliminary)171.8 for December 20182020 (preliminary) from 161.2167.2 for December 2017.  However, the2019. The housing affordability index continues to be at historically favorable levels. When the index is above 100, it indicates that a family earning the median income has sufficient income to purchase a median-priced home, assuming a 20 percent down payment and ability to qualify for a mortgage. The favorable housing affordability index is due in part to favorable mortgage rate conditions. Although mortgage rates increased approximately 90 basis points from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, the ratesHowever, as housing prices continue to be at historicallyclimb due to low levels.inventory and high demand and in light of the higher unemployment rate and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is still too early to predict the extent to which the effects of these factors will have on unemployment and housing affordability.

Mortgage RatesExisting Home Sales Transactions and Prices

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, mortgage rates on commitmentsNAR, seasonally adjusted existing home sale transactions for 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate first mortgages averaged 4.2% for 2017 and the rate rose to 4.7% (preliminary) in December 2018. To the extent mortgage rates increase further, consumers continue to have financing alternatives such as adjustable rate mortgages or shorter-term mortgages which can be utilized to obtain a mortgage rate that is lower than a comparable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

While increasing mortgage rates and higher home prices may negatively impact housing affordability, demand remains favorable by rising wages, availability of alternative mortgage arrangements and improving consumer confidence.

Factors that may negatively affect growth in the housing industry include prolonged periods of slow economic growth, increased prevalence of unemployment, increasing mortgage interest rates, increase in home sales prices, insufficient inventory levels, regulations imposed by local, state and federal government agencies, geopolitical instability, first time home buyers inability to save due to increasing rent prices and adverse shifts in consumer attitudes towards home ownership.

Existing Home Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2018, NAR existing home sale transactions decreased 10.0%2020 (preliminary) increased to 5.06.8 million compared to 5.5 million for the same period in 2017.  During this same period, eXp Realtyyear ended December 2019. The NAR anticipates transactions to continue with pace however due to low inventory level recovery may not be sustainable.

According to the NAR, nationwide existing home sales units increased 195.2%average price for December 2020 (preliminary) was $309 compared to 74,678$275 in December 2019. Due to low supply and high demand, the average sale price is expected to increase through 2021. However, it is still too early to predict the extent of the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will have on home sales prices.

KEY BUSINESS METRICS

Management uses our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and key business metrics related to our business and industry to evaluate our performance and make strategic decisions.

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The following table outlines the key business metrics that we periodically review:

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

Performance:

Agent count

41,313

25,423

15,570

Transactions

238,981

135,322

74,678

Volume

$ 72,206,457

$ 38,215,998

$ 19,799,161

Revenue

$ 1,798,285

$ 979,937

$ 500,148

Gross margin

8.9%

8.6%

8.1%

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 57,841

$ 12,649

$ 2,410

(1)Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, or any other measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, see “Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures”.

We periodically evaluate trends in certain metrics to track the Company’s performance.

Our strength is attracting real estate agent and broker professionals that contribute to our growth. Brokerage real estate transactions are recorded when our agents and brokers represent buyer and/or sellers in the purchase or sale, respectively, of a home. The number of real estate transactions are key drivers of our revenue and profitability. Real estate transaction volume increased 226.2% to $13.8 billion comparedrepresents the total sales value for all homes sold by our agents and brokers and is influenced by several market factors, including, but not limited to, the same periodpricing and quality of our services and market conditions that affect home sales, such as macroeconomic factors, local inventory levels, mortgage interest rates, and seasonality. Real estate transaction revenue represents the commission revenue earned by the Company for closed brokerage real estate transactions.

We continue to increase our agents and brokers significantly in 2017.the United States and Canada through the execution of our growth strategies. In the fourth quarter of 2019, we expanded operations to the U.K. and Australia. By the end of 2020, the Company expanded into other countries, including Mexico, South Africa, France, India, and Portugal. The rate of growth of our agent and broker base is difficult to predict and is subject to many factors outside of our control, including actions taken by our competitors and macroeconomic factors affecting the real estate industry in general. The Company’s agent base and transactions have not been significantly impacted throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic, however the full effect on these factors will continue to depend on the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Settled home sales transactions and volume resulted from closed real estate transactions and typically change directionally with changes in the market existing home sales transactions as reported by the NAR, as disproportionate variances are representative of company-specific improvements or shortfalls to the norm. Our home sale transactions growth was directly related to the growth of our agent base.base over the prior comparative period.

We utilize gross margin, a financial statement measures based on generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) to assess eXp’s financial performance from period to period.

Gross margin is calculated from U.S. GAAP reported amounts and equals the difference between revenue and cost of sales (i.e., gross profit) as a percentage of total revenue. Commissions and other agent-related costs represent the cost of sales for the Company. The cost of sales does not include depreciation or amortization expenses as the Company’s assets are not directly used in the production of revenue. Gross margin is based on the information provided in our results of operations or our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), and is an important measure of our potential profitability and brokerage performance. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, gross margin was 8.9%, 8.6%, and 8.1%, respectively. Gross margin has improved each year due to efforts to improve our cost structure, including lower revenue share costs relative to total revenue and the reduction of the discount for shares issued under our agent equity program effective January 1, 2020.

Management also reviews Adjusted EBTIDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, to understand and evaluate our core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA has grown significantly for the years ended December 31. 2020, 2019, and 2018 due to our revenue growth and improvements in our cost structure.

24

RECENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS

Real Estate Brokerage Initiatives

Global Expansion of Our Real Estate Cloud Brokerage

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company announced its first international expansion outside of North America into Australia and the U.K. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company initiated operations in France, India, Mexico, Portugal, and South Africa. The Company continues to pursue growth opportunities into new global markets. In addition to the international expansion, the Company continues to also focus on growth in the United States and in Canada.

Agent and Employee Experience

The Company has embarked on an initiative to better understand both its agents and employee experience. In doing so, we have adopted many of the principles of the Net Promoter Score® (NPS) across many aspects of our organization. NPS is a measure of customer satisfaction and is measured on a scale between -100 and 100. A NPS above 50 is considered excellent. The Company’s agent NPS was 73 in the fourth quarter of 2020. Whether it be the overall question "How likely are you to recommend eXp to your colleagues, friends, or family?" or more granular inquiries as to specific workflows or service offerings, we believe this will ensure we are delivering on the most important values to our agents and employees. In turn, this often leads to enthusiastic fans of eXp who will promote our Company and continue leading us through strong organic growth.

This also ties into one of our core values of transparency. While we strive for high satisfaction, it is equally important to investigate a low or unfavorable trending of NPS. As NPS scores are often leading indicators to agents and employees’ future actions, we are able to learn quickly what may be a ‘pain point’ or product that is not meeting its desired objective. We then take that information and translate it into action with an effort to remediate the specific root cause(s) driving the lower score. This fast and iterative approach has already led to improvements in such parts of our business such as agent onboarding, commission transaction processing, and employee benefits.

Agent Ownership

The Company maintains an equity incentive program whereby agents and brokers of eXp Realty can become eligible for awards of the Company’s common stock through the achievement of production and agent attraction benchmarks. Under our equity incentive program, agents and brokers who qualify are issued shares of the Company’s common stock, and it continues to be another element in creating a culture of agent-ownership.

Our agent compensation plans represent a key lever in our strategy to attract and retain independent agents and brokers. The costs attributable to these plans are also a significant component of our commission structure and results of operations. Agents and brokers can elect to receive 5% of their most recent releases, NAR is forecasting existing home salescommission payable in the form of Company common stock. Prior to decrease 1.1%January 1, 2020, we issued share-based compensation to our agents and brokers at a 20% discount to the market price of our common stock, which changed to a 10% discount for issuances beginning in January 2020 and had a direct and positive impact on gross margin above. Our operational strategy and the importance of the agent compensation plans to our strategy have not changed; however, the financial impact of the change in the discount has had a meaningful effect on our results of operations. Our stock repurchase program and agent growth incentive program are more fully disclosed in Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity to the consolidated financial statements.

Technology Products and Services

We continue developing the core Virbela software platform and its underlying infrastructure through our subsidiary, eXp World Technologies, LLC (“World Tech”), to accommodate for the remainderincreasing use and scale required to support our eXp Realty division. In 2019, we released a new product centered on the concept of 2019an open campus whereby small and increase 4.0%independent organizations may utilize sub spaces as part of a larger campus similar to collaborative environments that currently exist in 2020.

Existing Home Sales Price

We believe primary driversthe physical brick and mortar world. In the first quarter of 2020, Virbela began offering virtual events in conjunction with Event Farm. Given the current environment due to the long-termCOVID-19 pandemic, there is an acute need for virtual workplace collaboration. For the year ended December 31, 2020, Virbela has seen an increase in demand for housingvirtual events and collaborative spaces for remote teams and as a result has introduced new products and features including, an expo hall, a concert stage for virtual entertainment, VR support for Oculus Rift and HTC VIVE, and screen sharing and video chat capabilities. Lastly, we expect to continue to service existing and new business-to-business enterprise level contracts in the growth of our company to support that demand are housing affordability,coming year.

On July 31, 2020, the general economic healthCompany acquired all of the U.S. economy, demographic trends suchequity ownership interests in Showcase Web Sites, L.L.C. (“Showcase”) for cash consideration of $1.5 million and promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1.5 million (the “Showcase Acquisition”). Showcase is a technology company focused on agent website and consumer real estate portal technology. With this acquisition, the Company will be able to strategically focus on creating consumer home-search technology for utilization by our independent agents and brokers, as population growth, the increase in household formation, mortgage rate levelswell as continued services offerings to third party clients of Showcase.

25

Affiliated Services

Recent acquisitions and mortgage availability, job growth, the inherent benefits of owning a home versus rentingpartnerships have allowed us to begin offering to customers more products and the influence of local housing dynamics of supply versus demand.

As of December 31, 2018, we believe that these factors are generally favorable. However, significant changesservices complementary to one or more of these drivers could cause the demand for housing to slow, negatively affecting allour real estate brokerage firms, includingbusiness. These affiliated services include mortgage origination, title, escrow, and settlement services, which we can now provide as a more inclusive offering in addition to our brokerage services. We anticipate continued growth and investment in these service offerings through 2021; however, actual performance will depend directly on utilization by eXp Realty. 

Regardless of whether the housing market continues to grow or slows, the Company is positioned to adhere to its low-cost, high-engagement model, affordingRealty agents and brokers increased income and the on-going and fluctuating government implemented restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On December 4, 2020, the Company acquired all of the equity ownership opportunities while offering a scalable solutioninterests in Success Enterprises LLC (“Success”) and its related media properties, including SUCCESS® print magazine, SUCCESS.com, SUCCESS® newsletters, podcasts, digital training courses and affiliated social media accounts across platforms for cash consideration of $8.0 million. With the addition of Success, eXp intends to brokerage owners lookingblend its technology and content to surviveenhance the personal development platform for entrepreneurs and thrive in a series of fluctuations in economic activity.sales professionals.

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Results of Operations

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Year ended December 31, 20182020 vs. Year ended December 31, 20172019

Year Ended

% of

Year Ended

% of

Change
2020 vs. 2019

    

December 31, 2020

Revenue

December 31, 2019

Revenue

$

    

%

(In thousands, except share amounts and per share data)

Statement of Operations Data:

Revenues

 

$ 1,798,285

100%

$ 979,937

100%

$ 818,348

84%

Operating expenses

Commissions and other agent-related costs

1,638,674

91%

895,882

91%

742,792

83%

General and administrative expenses

122,801

7%

89,035

9%

33,766

38%

Sales and marketing expenses

5,223

-%

3,799

-%

1,424

37%

Total operating expenses

1,766,698

98%

988,716

101%

777,982

79%

Operating income (loss)

31,587

2%

(8,779)

(1)%

40,366

460%

Other expense, net

184

-%

281

-%

(97)

(35)%

Income (loss) before income tax expense

31,403

2%

(9,060)

(1)%

40,463

447%

Income tax expense

413

-%

497

-%

(84)

(17)%

Net income (loss)

30,990

2%

(9,557)

(1)%

40,547

424%

Add back: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

141

-%

29

-%

112

386%

Net income (loss) attributable to eXp World Holdings, Inc.

$ 31,131

2%

($ 9,528)

(1)%

$ 40,659

427%

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$ 57,841

3%

$ 12,649

1%

$ 45,192

357%

Earnings (loss) per share (2)

Basic

$ 0.22

($ 0.08)

$ 0.30

397%

Diluted

$ 0.21

($ 0.08)

$ 0.28

373%

Weighted average shares outstanding (2)

Basic

138,572,358

126,256,407

Diluted

151,550,075

126,256,407

(1)Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income, or any other measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, see “Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures”.
(2)Earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding have been adjusted for the impact of the two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend effected on February 12, 2021 (the “Stock Split”) for all periods presented.

Revenue

Revenues

RevenuesOur total revenues were $500.1$1,798.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018in 2020 compared to $156.1$979.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017,in 2019, an increase of $344.0$818.3 million, or 220.4%84%. TheTotal revenues increased primarily as a result of higher volume of real estate brokerage commissions, which is directly related to our increase asin agent count of 63% compared to 2019. Higher average home sales price also contributed to the prior period is a direct resultincrease of the 139% increase in our sales agent base to over 15,500 agents.revenue marginally.

26

Operating Expenses



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission and other agent-related costs

 

$

459,715,836 

 

 

$

139,603,970 

 

 

$

320,111,866 

 

229.3 

%

General and administrative

 

 

57,618,506 

 

 

 

35,685,512 

 

 

 

21,932,994 

 

61.5 

 

Professional fees

 

 

2,236,236 

 

 

 

1,274,675 

 

 

 

961,561 

 

75.4 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

2,961,618 

 

 

 

1,572,041 

 

 

 

1,389,577 

 

88.4 

 

    Total operating expenses

 

$

522,532,196 

 

 

$

178,136,198 

 

 

$

344,395,998 

 

 

 

Commission and Other Agent Related Costs

Commission and other agent-related costs includeswere $1,638.7 million in 2020 compared to $895.9 million in 2019, an increase of $742.8 million, or 83%. Commission and other agent related costs include sales commissions paid and are reduced by agent related to salesfees. Commission and other agent commissions and revenue sharing. Theserelated costs are highly correlated with recognized revenues. As such, theincreased primarily as a result of an increase in cost of revenues,settled real estate transactions and growth in our agent base.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expenses were $122.8 million in 2020 compared to the comparable prior year period, was primarily attributable to the$89.0 million in 2019, an increase in revenues and increase in agent commissions paid. As we continue to attract agents who produce at higher than average levels, these agents typically earn high commission payout rates, resulting in a lower margin on their respective production.

of $33.8 million, or 38%. General and administrative expenses include costs related to wages, including stock compensation, dues, operating leases, utilities, travel and other general overhead expenses. The increase in generalGeneral and administrative costs, compared to the comparable prior year period, was drivenexpenses increased primarily by theas a result of an increase of $22.7 million in compensation related expenses of $9.2 million,including salaries, contract labor, employee benefits, and payroll taxes and processing. The Company had an increase in stock compensation expense of $8.1$2.8 million. These increases are a direct result of the Company’s increase in employee and agent count. Employees increased from 634 in 2019 to 900 in 2020, representing growth in headcount of 42%. The Company’s agent base increased by 63%. Also, in support of the Company’s business operations, computer and software costs increased $3.6 million compared to prior year, mostly consisting of online subscriptions and security and virus protection. Finally, $2.3 million of the increase in general and administrative expenses is related to professional fees including accounting, legal, and other consulting. These increases are directly related to the Company’s continued revenue growth, international expansion and new business ventures.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expenses were $5.2 million in 2020 compared to $3.8 million in 2019, an increase of $1.4 million, or 37%. Sales and marketing costs include lead capture costs and promotional materials. Sales and marketing expenses increased primarily as a result of an increase in awards granted and decrease in stock optionsadvertising costs of $0.7 million.

Other Expense, Net

Other expense includes amortization expense of $2.0the present value adjustment to our stock payable and start-up costs. There were no significant changes in other expense in 2020 compared to 2019.

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)

The Company’s provision for income taxes amounted to $0.4 million, resulting from fewer stock options granted.  Stock compensation expense and stock options expense is affected by awards granted, awards exercised and/a decrease of $0.1 million, or awards forfeited throughout17%, for the year.  Awards granted, issued and forfeited are more fully disclosed in Note 9, Stockholders’ Equity, of the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Professional fees include costs related to legal, accounting and other consultants.  The increase in professional fees,year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the comparable prior yearsame period werein 2019. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily drivenattributable to the geographic mix of earnings. Higher deductible share-based compensation expenses represented most of the decrease in effective tax rate, partially offset by an increase of $0.5 millionthe change in audit costsvaluation allowance on deferred tax assets and $0.3 millionhigher state taxes incurred in legal fees.  

Sales and marketing includes costs related to lead capture, digital and print media, and trade shows, in addition to other promotional materials. The increase in sales and marketing expenses,2020 compared to 2019. Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates within this MD&A and Note 13 – Income Taxes to the comparable prior year period was primarily due to increased lead capture costs of $1.0 million.consolidated financial statements for further information.

23


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash flows generated from our business operations. Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to access certain capital markets, including banks, is necessary to fund our operations and capital expenditures, repurchase our common stock, and meet obligations as they become due. At present, our cash and cash equivalents balances and cash flows from operations have strengthened primarily due to transaction volume growth and improved cost leverage over the prior five years, especially during 2019 and 2020, attributable to the expansion of our independent agent and broker network and, to a lesser extent, increased average prices of home sales.

Year endedCurrently, our primary use of cash on hand is to sustain and grow our business operations, including, but not limited to, commission and revenue share payments to agents and brokers and cash outflows for operating expenses. Our current capital deployment strategy for 2021 is to utilize excess cash on hand to support our growth initiatives into select markets and enhance our technology platforms and for repurchases of our common stock. As of December 31, 2018 vs. Year ended2020, the Company is not party to any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources. In addition, the Company has no known material cash requirements as of December 31, 20172020 relating to capital expenditures, commitments, or human capital (except as passthrough commissions to agents and brokers concurrent with settled real estate transactions). The cash requirements for the upcoming fiscal year relate to our leases and our debt associated with acquisitions. For information regarding the Company’s expected cash requirement related to leases, see Note 10 – Leases to the consolidated financial statements. Cash requirements associated with our acquisitions include a $0.5 million cash payment related to the principal amount of promissory notes issued to the previous owners of Showcase and a $1.0 million payment of cash or common stock of the Company to the previous owners of Virbela both due in 2021. A final cash payment of $1.0 million for the settlement of the promissory notes issued to the previous owners of Showcase will be due in 2022.

27

We believe that our existing balances of cash and cash equivalents and cash flows expected to be generated from our operations will be sufficient to satisfy our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our level of investment in technology, our rate of growth into new markets, and cash used to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Our capital requirements may be affected by factors which we cannot control such as the changes in the residential real estate market, interest rates, and other monetary and fiscal policy changes to the manner in which we currently operate. In order to support and achieve our future growth plans, we may need or seek advantageously to obtain additional funding through equity or debt financing. We believe that our current operating structure will facilitate sufficient cash flows from operations to satisfy our expected long-term liquidity requirements beyond the next twelve months.

AtWe currently do not hold any bank debt, nor have we issued any debt instruments through public offerings or private placements. If we are unable to raise additional capital when desired, our business, results of operations, and financial condition would likely suffer. As of December 31, 2018,2020, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $20.5$100.1 million. Cash equivalents are comprised of financial instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less from the date of purchase, primarily money market funds. AtWe currently do not possess any marketable securities.

Net Working Capital

Net working capital is calculated as the Company’s total current assets less its total current liabilities. The following table presents our net working capital for the periods presented:

    

December 31, 2020

  

December 31, 2019

Current assets

$ 212,225

$ 78,819

Current liabilities

(96,650)

(41,965)

Net working capital

$ 115,575

$ 36,854

As of December 31, 2018 we held no marketable securities.  Our working capital was $18.1 million and $2.7 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended

 

 

 



 

December 31,

 

 

 



 

2018

 

2017

 

 

$ Change



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

42,326,727 

 

$

13,098,918 

 

$

29,227,809 

Current liabilities

 

 

(24,212,062)

 

 

(10,376,460)

 

 

(13,835,602)

Net working capital

 

$

18,114,665 

 

$

2,722,458 

 

$

15,392,207 

For the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, net working capital increased $15.4$78.7 million, or 565.4%214%, compared to the comparable prior year period, primarily due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $15.9$60.1 million and commissionsaccounts receivable of $6.6$48.8 million resulting from pending real estate transactions. In correlation to the number of pending real estate transactions, accrued expenses increased $31.7 million, which includesincluded higher commissions payable and salaries payable, increased $10.2of $20.7 million.

Cash Flows

The following table presents our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:periods presented:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended

 

 

 



 

December 31,

 

 

 



 

2018

 

2017

 

$ Change



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

24,310,719 

 

$

4,568,353 

 

$

19,742,366 

Cash used in investment activities

 

 

(8,859,462)

 

 

(1,281,147)

 

 

(7,578,315)

Cash provided by financing activities

 

 

2,015,034 

 

 

149,369 

 

 

1,865,665 

Year Ended December 31,

  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

Cash provided by operating activities

$ 119,659

$ 55,186

$ 24,311

Cash used in investment activities

(16,963)

(6,690)

(8,859)

Cash used in financing activities

(21,893)

(24,569)

2,015

Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

47

106

(21)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$ 80,850

$ 24,033

$ 17,446

For the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, cash provided by operating activities increased $19.7 million.$64.5 million compared to the same period in 2019. The change resulted primarily from the increased volume in our real estate sales transactions, improved cost leverage, increase in customer deposits, and higher participation by our agents and brokers in our Agent Equity Program.agent stock compensation programs. See financial Note 911 – Stockholders’ Equity to the consolidated financial statements for further details related to this Program.  

program.

For the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, cash used in our investing activities consistedincreased primarily due to higher cash used for business acquisitions of expenditures related to the on-going developmentapproximately $9.0 million and an increase of our internal use software and the acquisition of VirBELA.  Refer to Note 3 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on our acquisition of VirBELA.$1.4 million in capital expenditures. As we continue to develop and refine our cloud-based platforms and continue to accelerate our business in innovative ways, we expect to continue to use our existing cash resources on similar expenditures for the next twelve months.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we generated approximately $2.0 million2020, the decrease in cash flows fromused in financing activities primarily related to higher proceeds received from the exercise of stock options of $4.6 million, partially offset by higher repurchases of our common stock of $2.3 million compared to the prior year period.

Outlook

As we continue to scale our Company in the future and increase market share, we expect to continue invest in the business and drive strong growth in the U.S. and international markets.

These operating ambitions are not forecasts and do not reflect our expectations, but rather are aspirational targets for future performance that may never be realized. These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in them. Factors include, among others, (i) changes in demand

28

for the Company’s services and changes in consumer behavior; (ii) macroeconomic conditions beyond our control; (iii) the Company’s ability to effectively maintain its infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives; (iv) the impact of governmental regulations related to the exercise of options to purchase 2,594,050 shares of common stock. 

Our future capital requirements will dependCompany’s operations; and (v) other factors, as described in this Annual Report on many factors, including our level of investmentForm 10-K in technology, our rate of growth into new markets and capital used to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock  Our capital requirements may be affected by factors which we cannot control such as the residential real estate market, interest rates, and other monetary and fiscal policy changes to the manner in which we currently operate. We anticipate that between our current cash position and cash flow from ongoing operations we have the necessary resources to continue operating our business over the next 12 months. In order to support and achieve our future growth plans, however, we may need or seek advantageously to obtain additional funding through equity or debt financing.Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

24


During the year ended December 31, 2018, we increased our line of credit from $500,000 to $1,000,000.  We currently have no borrowings against the line of credit facility or any other term loan bank debt.  In the event additional financing is required in the future, we may not be able to raise it on terms acceptable to us or at all.  If we are unable to raise additional capital when desired, our business and results of operations would likely suffer.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain judgments and assumptions, based on information available at the time of our preparation of the financial statements, in determining accounting estimates used in the preparation of the statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

consolidated financial statements.

Accounting estimates are considered critical if the estimate requires us to use judgments and/or make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made and if different accounting estimates could have been used in the reporting period or changes in the accounting estimates are likely to occur that would have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Stock-based compensation

Our stock-based compensation is comprised of agent growth incentive programs, agent equity program, and stock option awards. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation granted to employees and non-employees using a fair value method. Stock-based compensation awards are measured at the grant date fair value, and the stock-based compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period of the awards, usually the vesting period, on a straight-line basis, net of forfeitures. The Company reduces recorded stock-based compensation for forfeitures when they occur.

Recognition of compensation cost for an award with a performance condition is based on the probable outcome of that performance condition being met. The Company estimates the share-based liability based on estimated performance probabilities based on our most recent estimates on probable achievement of the performance measures established under our agent growth incentive program. These estimates calculated based on the agent’s historical performance for each award type. Also, the requisite service period at the grant date of performance awards is estimated based on the probability of the period of time it will take an agent to meet the performance metric. The value of the stock award is amortized over this period and recognized as stock compensation expense starting on the grant date.

If factors change causing different assumptions to be made in future periods, estimated compensation expense may differ significantly from that recorded in the current period. See Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity to the consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of our awards.

Revenue Recognitionrecognition

The Company generates substantially all of its revenue from real estate brokerage services.  With the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of VirBELA, LLC, the Companyservices and generates an immaterialportiona de minimis portion of its revenuerevenues from software subscription and professional services.

Real Estate Brokerage Services

The Company serves as a licensed broker in the areas in which it operates for the purpose of processing residential real estate transactions. The Company is contractually obligated to provide services for the fulfillment of transfers of residential real estate between buyers and sellers. The Company provides these services itself and controls the serviceservices necessary to legally represent the transfer of the residential real estate. Correspondingly, the Company is defined as the Principal.principal. The Company, as Principal,principal, satisfies its obligation upon the closing of a residential real estate transaction. As Principal,principal, and upon satisfaction of our obligation, the Company recognizedrecognizes revenue in the gross amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled to.

Revenue is derived from assisting home buyers and sellers in listing, marketing, selling and finding residential real estate. Commissions earned on real estate transactions are recognized at a point in time upon the completion of a residential real estate transaction once we have satisfied our performance obligation. Agent related fees are currently recorded as a reduction to commissions and other agent related costs.

At each reporting period, we estimate revenue for closed transactions for which we have not yet received the closing documents due to timing of when a transaction settles. Additionally, provisions for anticipated differences between consideration due and amounts expected to be received are estimated and recorded to revenue. A hypothetical change of 10% in the accrual for estimated revenue would have impacted total revenue by approximately $4.3 million and pre-tax income by approximately $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Although all differences in the historical reported amounts (including the most recent fiscal year) have been immaterial, estimated revenue could materially differ from actual results and could have an adverse impact to the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Technology Services and Products

29

The Company earns a de minimis amount of subscription revenue that is derived from fees from users to access the Company’s virtual reality software platform. The terms of our subscriptions do not provide customers the right to take possession of the software. Subscription revenue is generally recognized ratably over the contract term.

Professional services revenue is derived from implementation and consulting services. Professional services revenue is typically recognized over time as the services are rendered, using an efforts-expended (labor hours) input method.

Software subscription and professional services revenue accounts for approximately 1% of all revenue for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

Accounts receivable and expected credit losses

The Company’s accounts receivable includes agent non-commission based fees, agent short-term advances, and commissions receivable for real estate property settlements. The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable is derived primarily from real estate property settlements, which are in-substance guaranteed because they represent commission payments on closed transactions. The accounts receivable are typically unsecured.

The allowance for credit losses is our estimate based on identified potentially uncollectible amounts and consideration of historical experience of losses incurred. We periodically perform detailed reviews to assess the adequacy of the allowance. We exercise significant judgment in estimating the timing, frequency and severity of losses. The Company uses the aging schedule method to estimate current expected credit losses (“CECL”) based on days of delinquency, including information about past events and current economic conditions. The Company’s accounts receivable is separated into the aforementioned three categories to evaluate the allowance under the CECL impairment model. The receivables in each category share similar risk characteristics.

The Company analyzed uncollectable accounts for the three categories of receivables and concluded that only agent non-commission based fees receivables and agent short-term advances carry any risk of expected credit losses. Current economic conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions do not affect expected credit losses on uncollectable real estate property settlements, and the Company has no historical experience or expectation of losses related to these receivables. A hypothetical change of 10% in expected credit losses related to agent non-commission based fees receivables and agent short-term advances would have impacted our pre-tax income by approximately $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Although we experienced higher rates of delinquency on agent fees and advances receivable and recognized greater expected losses during 2020, the Company typically has not experienced material uncollectible accounts (including the most fiscal recent year). However, future experience could materially differ from historical results and could have an adverse impact to the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Business combinations and goodwill

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, under which the consideration for the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the fair values as of the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs, such as due diligence, legal and accounting fees, are expensed as incurred and not considered in determining the fair value of the acquired assets.

Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates and market factors. Estimating the fair value of individual reporting units requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding significant changes or planned changes in the use of the assets, as well as industry and economic conditions. These assumptions and estimates include projected revenues and income growth rates, terminal growth rates, competitive and consumer trends, market-based discount rates, and other market factors. Significant assumptions used in determining the allocation of fair value include the following valuation techniques: the cost approach, the income approach, and the market approach, which are determined based on cash flow projections and related discount rates, industry indices, market prices regarding replacement cost and comparable market transactions.

At the acquisition date, the Company recognizes the identifiable acquired assets, liabilities, and contingent liabilities (identifiable net assets) of the subsidiaries on the basis of fair value. Recognized assets and liabilities may be adjusted during a maximum of one year from the acquisition date (the “measurement period”), depending on new information obtained about the facts and circumstances in existence at the acquisition date.

If current expectations of future growth rates are not met or market factors outside of our control change significantly, then our goodwill or intangible assets may become impaired. Additionally, as goodwill and intangible assets associated with recently acquired businesses are recorded on the balance sheet at their estimated acquisition date fair values, those amounts are more susceptible to impairment risk if business operating results or macroeconomic conditions deteriorate.

30

Goodwill impairment

We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in the fiscal fourth quarter or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not indicate that the fair value of the goodwill is below its carrying value. An impairment loss for goodwill would be recognized based on the difference between the carrying value and its estimated fair value, which would be determined based on either discounted future cash flows or another appropriate fair value method. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general economy, we performed this assessment at each interim period during 2020 as well. However, based on the Company’s performance, we believed that an impairment was remote during the year.

The evaluation of goodwill for impairment requires management to use significant judgments and estimates in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including, but not limited to, economic, industry, and company-specific qualitative factors, projected future net sales, operating results, and cash flows. Although we currently believe the estimates used in the evaluation of goodwill are reasonable, differences between actual and expected net sales, operating results, and cash flows and/or changes in the discount rates used could cause these assets to be deemed impaired. If this were to occur, we would be required to record a non-cash charge to earnings for the write-down in the value of the goodwill, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position but not our cash flows from operations.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, we performed an assessment of the fair value of goodwill related to World Tech. Due to the timing of the recent acquisitions of Showcase and Success, management did not identify any new events or changes in circumstances that would more likely than not indicate that the fair value of the goodwill acquired for each business combination is below its carrying value. To perform these assessments, we identified and analyzed macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, and company-specific factors. Taking into consideration these factors, we estimated the potential change in the fair value of goodwill compared with our most recent quantitative impairment test for World Tech. As a result of the analysis performed, management believes the estimated fair value of the reporting units continue to exceed their carrying values by a substantial margin and does not represent a more likely than not possibility of potential impairment. The goodwill analysis did not result in an impairment charge. Also, a reasonable hypothetical change in assumptions, such as a 1% change in the discount rate or a 10% change in the projected cash flows, would not have resulted in an impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Income Taxestaxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basesbasis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance against deferred tax assets would be established if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some or all of the deferred tax assets are not expected to be realized. Our assumptions, judgments, and estimates relative to the value of our deferred tax assets take into account predictions of the amount and category of future taxable income.

Since inception,As of December 31, 2020, based on our assessment of the realizability of the net deferred tax assets, we have incurred operating losses,continue to maintain a full valuation allowance against all of our federal and accordingly, we have generally not recordedstate net deferred tax assets. If our valuation allowance were released due to a provision for income taxes. We generally do not expect any significant changeschange in the amountlikelihood of our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2020, our income tax provision untilbenefit and net income would have increased by up to $22.1 million. Management has evaluated our recent profitability trends and believes that, if current trends persist, there is a reasonable possibility that within the next 12 months, sufficient positive evidence may become available to allow us to reach the conclusion that a significant portion of the valuation allowance will no longer be needed. Release of the valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain DTAs and a decrease to income tax expense for the period the release is recorded. However, the exact timing and amount of the valuation allowance to be released are subject to change based on the positive evidence, including, but not limited to, the level of expected profitability, that we are no longer incurring operating losses. able to actually achieve in future periods.

Stock Based Compensation

The Company issues equityAlthough management believes that the judgment and equity linked instrumentsestimates involved are reasonable and that the necessary provisions related to employees and non-employees. Share-based payment awards are measured at the grant date fair value with compensation costs associated with those awards recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

As a “smaller reporting company”, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.

25


OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Weincome taxes have no off-balance sheet arrangements that havebeen recorded, changes in circumstances or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect onunexpected events could adversely affect our financial condition, revenues or expenses,position, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are materialand cash flows.

See Note 13 – Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements for further information related to our stockholders.income tax positions.

Litigation

NON-GAAPWe recognize expense for legal claims when payments associated with the claims become probable and can be reasonably estimated. Due to the difficulty in estimating costs of resolving legal claims, actual costs could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flow, if we were to become a party to a material legal action.

NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAPnon-U.S. GAAP financial measure, to understand and evaluate our core operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure, which may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies, is presented to enhance investors’ overall

31

understanding of our financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

U.S.GAAP.

We define the non-GAAPnon-U.S. GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA to mean net income (loss), excluding interestother income (expense), income tax benefit (expense), depreciation, amortization, and amortization;impairment charges, stock-based compensation expense, and stock option expense.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information about our financial performance, enhances the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allows for greater transparency with respect to a key metric used by our management for financial and operational decision-making. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA helps identify underlying trends in our business that otherwise could be masked by the effect of the expenses that we exclude in Adjusted EBITDA. In particular, we believe the exclusion of stock and stock option expenses, provides a useful supplemental measure in evaluating the performance of our underlying operations and provides better transparency into our results of operations.

We are presenting the non-GAAPnon-U.S. GAAP measure of Adjusted EBITDA to assist investors in seeing our financial performance through the eyes of management, and because we believe this measure provides an additional tool for investors to use in comparing our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA compared to Net Income (Loss), the closest comparable U.S. GAAP measure. Some of these limitations are that:

·

Adjusted EBITDA excludes stock-based compensation expense (and related payroll tax expense)to our agent growth incentive program and stock option expense, which have been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, significant recurring expenses in our business and an important part of our compensation strategy; and;

and

·

Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain recurring, non-cash charges such as depreciation of fixed assets, and amortization of acquired intangible assets, and impairment charges related to these long-lived assets, and, although these are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated, and amortized, or impaired may have to be replaced in the future.

The following tables present a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, for each of the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31,

    

2020

2019

2018

Net income (loss)

$ 30,990

($ 9,557)

($ 22,430)

Other expense (income), net

184

281

(32)

Income tax expense

413

497

78

Depreciation, amortization, and impairment expenses (1)

4,214

2,384

894

Stock compensation expense (2)

15,239

13,959

19,053

Stock option expense

6,801

5,085

4,847

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 57,841

$ 12,649

$ 2,410

(1)Stock payable amortization is included in other expense (income). Impairment expense relates to 2020 write off of an intangible asset related to a discontinued internally developed software project. There were no impairment charges recognized during 2019 or 2018.
(2)This includes agent growth incentive stock compensation expense and stock compensation expense related to non-controlling interest.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the Year Ended



 

December 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

Net income / (loss)

 

$

(22,430,356)

 

$

(22,130,965)

Other (income) / expense

 

 

(31,959)

 

 

2,077 

Taxes

 

 

77,800 

 

 

97,234 

Depreciation & Amortization

 

 

893,988 

 

 

353,229 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

19,053,478 

 

 

10,961,631 

Stock option expense

 

 

4,846,906 

 

 

6,856,029 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

2,409,857 

 

$

(3,860,765)

26


The primary impact ondriver for the changes in Adjusted EBITDA is stock compensation expense.  Stock compensation expense increased $8.1 million and $6.0 million forwas improved net income attributable to the increase in revenue from the higher volume of real estate sales transactions. During the years ended December 31, 20182020 and 2019, net income increased by $40.5 million and net losses decreased by $12.9 million, respectively.

Item 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk relates to the risk of the loss of fair value resulting from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Market risk is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying financial instruments are traded. Sensitivity analysis measures the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and other market rates or prices on the profitability of market-sensitive financial instruments and our results of operations.

Foreign Currency Risk

The majority of our net sales, expense, and capital purchases were transacted in U.S. dollars. However, exposure with respect to foreign exchange rate fluctuation existed due to our operations in Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, India, and South Africa, albeit each individually and in the aggregate to a small extent. As of December 31, 2017, respectively.  Stock compensation expense is affected by awards granted and/or awards forfeited throughout2020, our largest international operations were in Canada. Based

32

on fiscal 2020 performance, a hypothetical decline in the year.  Awards granted, issued and forfeited are more fully disclosed in Note 9, Stockholders’ Equity,value of the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Also impacting stock compensation expense wasCanadian dollar in relation to the adoptionU.S. dollar of ASU 2018-07 disclosed10% would negatively impact operating income by approximately $135, while a hypothetical appreciation of 10% in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Principles and the increase in shares granted for our equity incentive program whereby agents and brokers of eXp Realty become eligible for awardsvalue of the Canadian dollar in relation to the U.S. dollar would favorably impact operating income by approximately $70. The individual impacts to the operating income of hypothetical currency fluctuations in the Canadian dollar have been calculated in isolation from any potential responses to address such exchange rate changes in our other foreign markets. Our exposures to foreign currency risk related to our other operations in our other international locations were immaterial and have been excluded from this analysis.

Our investments in the net assets of our international operations were also subject to currency risk. As of December 31, 2020, the impacts of translations of foreign-denominated net assets of our international operations were immaterial to the Company’s common stock throughconsolidated financial statements. The translation impacts related to the achievementnet assets of production and agent attraction benchmarks.our international operations are recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income. Historically, we have not hedged this exposure, although we may elect to do so in future periods.

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

33

As a “smaller reporting company”, we are not required to provide the information required by this Item.

Item 8. FINA

REPORT OF INDEPENDENTINDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

ShareholdersTo the Stockholders and the Board of Directors

of eXp World Holdings, Inc.

Bellingham, Washington

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of eXp World Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 20182020 and 2017,2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the two years thenin the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”"financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and subsidiaries atas of December 31, 20182020 and 2017,2019, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the two years thenin the period ended, December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the common stock split presentation discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, were audited by other auditors whose report, dated March 18, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. We have also audited the adjustments to the 2018 financial statements to retrospectively apply the change in presentation for common stock split, as discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements. In our opinion, such retrospective adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. However, we were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2018 financial statements of the Company other than with respect to the retrospective adjustments, and accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2018 financial statements taken as a whole.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)(PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018,2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated March 18, 201911, 2021, expressed an adverseunqualified opinion thereon.on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’sCompany's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidatedCompany's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Commissions and Other Agent-Related Costs – Revenue Share expenses – Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company has a revenue sharing plan where its agents and brokers can receive commission income from real estate transactions consummated by agents and brokers they have attracted to the Company. Agents and brokers are eligible for revenue share based on the number of Front-Line Qualifying Active agents they have attracted to the Company. A Front-Line Qualifying Active agent is an agent or broker that an agent or broker has personally attracted to the Company who has met specific sales transaction volume requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company incurred $1.6 billion of commissions and other agent-related costs, which includes commissions paid to agents and brokers under the revenue sharing plan.

35

We identified the revenue sharing plan as a critical audit matter because the plan has a complex multi-tiered compensation structure involving highly automated system calculations to determine the commissions paid to agents and brokers. This required an increased extent of audit effort to audit and evaluate the accuracy of commissions paid under the revenue share plan.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures performed related to the testing of the accuracy of expenses under the revenue sharing plan included the following, among others:

We tested the effectiveness of controls over the revenue share expenses, including management’s controls over the calculation of commissions costs under the revenue sharing plan.
With the assistance of our IT specialists, we:
oIdentified the significant system used to process revenue share transactions and tested the general IT controls over the system, including testing of user access controls, change management controls, and IT operations controls.
oPerformed testing of automated controls, as well as the controls designed to ensure the accuracy of revenue share expenses.
We selected samples of commissions costs incurred for agents and brokers under the revenue sharing plan and recalculated the commissions based on the terms of the respective independent contractor agreements.
For the samples selected:
oWe tested the mathematical accuracy of the recorded commission by recalculating the revenue sharing allocation in accordance with the independent contractor agreements and traced the underlying transactions to third party documents including settlement statements, purchase agreements and bank statements.
oWe tested the accuracy of the Front-Line Qualifying Agent count for agents and brokers by reading independent contractor agreements and obtained evidence of agents and brokers reaching the required sales transaction volume, including settlement statements.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California

March 11, 2021

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2019.

36

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors

eXp World Holdings, Inc.

Bellingham, Washington

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows of eXp World Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”), before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in presentation for the common stock split described in Note 1. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, before the effects of the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in presentation for the common stock split described in Note 1, present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (the 2018 consolidated financial statements before the effects of the adjustments discussed in Note 1 are not presented herein).

We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the adjustments to retrospectively apply the change in presentation for the common stock split described in Note 1 and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those adjustments were audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our auditsaudit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our auditsaudit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provideaudit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.from 2017 to 2019.

Salt Lake City, Utah

March 18, 2019

2837


EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 100,143

$ 40,087

Restricted cash

27,781

6,987

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,879 and allowance for bad debt of $137, respectively

76,951

28,196

Prepaids and other assets

7,350

3,549

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

212,225

78,819

Property, plant, and equipment, net

7,848

5,428

Operating lease right-of-use assets

819

1,264

Other noncurrent assets

-

16

Intangible assets, net

8,350

2,677

Goodwill

12,945

8,248

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 242,187

$ 96,452

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts payable

$ 3,957

$ 2,593

Customer deposits

27,781

6,987

Accrued expenses

62,750

31,034

Current portion of long-term payable

1,416

916

Current portion of lease obligation - operating lease

746

435

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

96,650

41,965

Long-term payable, net of current portion

2,876

1,530

Long-term lease obligation - operating lease, net of current portion

74

829

TOTAL LIABILITIES

99,600

44,324

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)

EQUITY

Common Stock, $0.00001 par value 220,000,000 shares authorized; 146,677,786 issued and 144,143,292 outstanding in 2020; 132,398,616 issued and 131,473,252 outstanding in 2019 (1)

1

1

Additional paid-in capital

218,492

130,682

Treasury stock, at cost: 2,534,494 and 925,364 shares held, respectively

(37,994)

(8,623)

Accumulated deficit

(39,162)

(70,293)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

247

200

Total eXp World Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity

141,584

51,967

Equity attributable to noncontrolling interest

1,003

161

TOTAL EQUITY

142,587

52,128

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$ 242,187

$ 96,452

(1)All applicable period amounts have been adjusted to reflect the 2-for-one stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend in February 2021. See Note 1 – Description of Business and Basis of Presentation for details.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

38

EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands, except share amounts and per share data)

 

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Revenues

$ 1,798,285

$ 979,937

$ 500,148

Operating expenses

Commissions and other agent-related costs

1,638,674

895,882

459,716

General and administrative expenses

122,801

89,035

59,855

Sales and marketing expenses

5,223

3,799

2,961

Total operating expenses

1,766,698

988,716

522,532

Operating income (loss)

31,587

(8,779)

(22,384)

Other expense

Other expense (income), net

133

247

(32)

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates

51

34

-

Total other expense (income), net

184

281

(32)

Income (loss) before income tax expense

31,403

(9,060)

(22,352)

Income tax expense

413

497

78

Net income (loss)

30,990

(9,557)

(22,430)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

141

29

-

Net income (loss) attributable to eXp World Holdings, Inc.

$ 31,131

($ 9,528)

($ 22,430)

Earnings (loss) per share (1)

Basic

$ 0.22

($ 0.08)

($ 0.19)

Diluted

$ 0.21

($ 0.08)

($ 0.19)

Weighted average shares outstanding (1)

Basic

138,572,358

126,256,407

115,379,840

Diluted

151,550,075

126,256,407

115,379,840

Comprehensive income (loss):

Net income (loss)

$ 30,990

($ 9,557)

($ 22,430)

Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

141

29

-

Net income (loss) attributable to eXp World Holdings, Inc.

31,131

(9,528)

(22,430)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of tax

47

211

(20)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to eXp World Holdings, Inc.

$ 31,178

($ 9,317)

($ 22,450)

(1)All applicable period amounts have been adjusted to reflect the 2-for-one stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend in February 2021. See Note 1 – Description of Business and Basis of Presentation for details.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

December 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

20,538,057 

 

$

4,672,034 

Restricted cash

 

 

2,502,591 

 

 

923,193 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance $484,441 and $179,759, respectively

 

 

17,428,091 

 

 

6,912,657 

Prepaids and other assets

 

 

1,857,988 

 

 

591,034 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

42,326,727 

 

 

13,098,918 

FIXED ASSETS, NET

 

 

2,739,525 

 

 

1,538,213 

INTANGIBLES ASSETS, NET

 

 

2,531,669 

 

 

 -

GOODWILL

 

 

8,248,107 

 

 

 -

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

55,846,028 

 

$

14,637,131 



 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,758,377 

 

$

635,087 

Customer deposits

 

 

2,502,591 

 

 

923,193 

Accrued expenses

 

 

18,976,435 

 

 

8,818,180 

Current portion of long-term payable

 

 

974,659 

 

 

 -

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

24,212,062 

 

 

10,376,460 



 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM PAYABLE, net of current portion

 

 

1,654,337 

 

 

 -

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

25,866,399 

 

 

10,376,460 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, $0.00001 par value 220,000,000 shares authorized; 60,609,102 and 54,962,535 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

 

 

606 

 

 

550 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

90,755,616 

 

 

36,848,041 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(60,765,266)

 

 

(32,596,374)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(11,327)

 

 

8,454 



 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

29,979,629 

 

 

4,260,671 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

$

55,846,028 

 

$

14,637,131 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

39

EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Common stock:

Balance, beginning of year

$ 1

$ 1

$ 1

Balance, end of year

1

1

1

Treasury stock:

Balance, beginning of year

(8,623)

-

-

Repurchases of common stock

(29,371)

(27,056)

-

Retirement of treasury stock

-

18,433

-

Balance, end of year

(37,994)

(8,623)

-

Additional paid-in capital:

Balance, beginning of year

130,683

90,756

36,848

Cumulative effect from the adoption of new accounting standards

-

-

5,739

Shares issued for acquisition

-

-

1,000

Shares issued for stock options exercised

6,946

2,298

2,015

Agent growth incentive stock compensation

13,094

13,209

19,053

Agent equity stock compensation

60,968

37,768

21,254

Stock option compensation

6,801

5,085

4,847

Retirement of treasury stock

-

(18,433)

-

Balance, end of year

218,492

130,683

90,756

Accumulated deficit:

Balance, beginning of year

(70,293)

(60,765)

(32,596)

Cumulative effect from the adoption of new accounting standards

-

-

(5,739)

Net income (loss)

31,131

(9,528)

(22,430)

Balance, end of year

(39,162)

(70,293)

(60,765)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

Balance, beginning of year

200

(12)

8

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

47

212

(20)

Balance, end of year

247

200

(12)

Noncontrolling interest:

Balance, beginning of year

160

-

-

Net loss

(141)

(29)

-

Stock compensation

451

-

-

Contributions by noncontrolling interests

533

189

-

Balance, end of year

1,003

160

-

Total equity

$ 142,587

$ 52,128

$ 29,980

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2940


EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, except share amounts)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 



 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 



 

2018

 

2017

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

500,147,681 

 

$

156,104,544 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission and other agent-related costs

 

 

459,715,836 

 

 

139,603,970 

 

General and administrative

 

 

57,618,506 

 

 

35,685,512 

 

Professional fees

 

 

2,236,236 

 

 

1,274,675 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

2,961,618 

 

 

1,572,041 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

 

522,532,196 

 

 

178,136,198 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss from operations

 

 

(22,384,515)

 

 

(22,031,654)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income and (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense)

 

 

53,155 

 

 

(2,077)

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

(21,196)

 

 

 -

 

Total other income and (expenses)

 

 

31,959 

 

 

(2,077)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income tax expense

 

 

(22,352,556)

 

 

(22,033,731)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(77,800)

 

 

(97,234)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(22,430,356)

 

$

(22,130,965)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic from continuing operations

 

$

(0.39)

 

$

(0.42)

 

Diluted from continuing operations

 

$

(0.39)

 

$

(0.42)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

57,689,920 

 

 

53,194,928 

 

Diluted

 

 

57,689,920 

 

 

53,194,928 

 

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income (loss)

$ 30,990

($ 9,557)

($ 22,430)

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation expense

3,360

2,057

870

Amortization expense - intangible assets

629

327

24

Amortization expense - long-term payable

157

140

21

Asset impairments

225

-

-

Allowance for credit losses on receivables/bad debt on receivables

1,742

(137)

(484)

Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates

51

34

-

Agent growth incentive stock compensation expense

15,239

13,959

19,053

Stock option compensation

6,801

5,085

4,847

Agent equity stock compensation expense

60,968

37,768

21,254

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(50,193)

(10,626)

(10,037)

Prepaids and other assets

(3,534)

(1,696)

(1,179)

Customer deposits

20,794

4,421

1,597

Accounts payable

1,364

1,413

609

Accrued expenses

30,017

11,302

10,166

Long term payable

1,048

697

-

Other operating activities

1

(1)

-

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

119,659

55,186

24,311

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(6,436)

(5,000)

(2,134)

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

(10,502)

(1,500)

(6,725)

Intangible assets acquired

-

(140)

-

Other investing activities

(25)

(50)

-

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

(16,963)

(6,690)

(8,859)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Repurchase of common stock

(29,371)

(27,056)

-

Proceeds from exercise of options

6,946

2,298

2,015

Transactions with noncontrolling interests

532

189

-

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

(21,893)

(24,569)

2,015

Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

47

106

(21)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

80,850

24,033

17,446

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning balance

47,074

23,041

5,595

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, ENDING BALANCE

$ 127,924

$ 47,074

$ 23,041

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:

Cash paid for income taxes

$ 754

$ 130

$ 73

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Retirement of treasury stock

$ -

$ 18,433

$ -

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets

138

1,524

-

Intangible assets in accounts payable

-

70

-

Termination of lease liabilities

204

-

-

Liabilities incurred associated with business acquisition

1,500

-

4,108

Property, plant and equipment purchases in accounts payable

117

93

87

Liabilities assumed in business acquisition

140

-

-

Common stock issued for business acquisition

-

-

1,000

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

30


EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended



 

December 31,

 

December 31,



 

2018

 

2017



 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(22,430,356)

 

$

(22,130,965)

Other comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

 

 

(19,781)

 

 

4,249 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(22,450,137)

 

$

(22,126,716)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3141


EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSO

LIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Additional

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Other Comprehensive

 

 

Total



 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Paid-In Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Equity

Balance, December 31, 2016

 

52,316,679 

 

$

523 

 

$

12,987,707 

 

$

(10,465,409)

 

$

4,205 

 

$

2,527,026 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock issued for cash at $3.25 per share, net of issuance costs

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

142,158 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

142,158 

Exercise of options

 

181,572 

 

 

 

 

46,594 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

46,596 

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

 

(1,307)

 

 

 -

 

 

(3,607)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(3,607)

Stock compensation expense

 

1,000,594 

 

 

10 

 

 

10,961,621 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

10,961,631 

Stock option expense

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

6,856,029 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

6,856,029 

Agent equity program

 

1,464,997 

 

 

15 

 

 

5,857,539 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

5,857,554 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

4,249 

 

 

4,249 

Net loss

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(22,130,965)

 

 

 -

 

 

(22,130,965)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

54,962,535 

 

$

550 

 

$

36,848,041 

 

$

(32,596,374)

 

$

8,454 

 

$

4,260,671 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect adjustment upon the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2018-07

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

5,738,536 

 

 

(5,738,536)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Shares issued for acquisition

 

97,371 

 

 

 

 

999,999 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

1,000,000 

Exercise of options

 

2,594,050 

 

 

25 

 

 

2,015,009 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,015,034 

Stock compensation expense

 

1,270,545 

 

 

13 

 

 

19,053,465 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

19,053,478 

Stock option expense

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

4,846,906 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

4,846,906 

Agent equity program

 

1,684,601 

 

 

17 

 

 

21,253,660 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

21,253,677 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(19,781)

 

 

(19,781)

Net loss

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(22,430,356)

 

 

 -

 

 

(22,430,356)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

60,609,102 

 

$

606 

 

$

90,755,616 

 

$

(60,765,266)

 

$

(11,327)

 

$

29,979,629 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

32


EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 



 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 



 

2018

 

2017

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(22,430,356)

 

$

(22,130,965)

 

Adjustments to reconcile net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

893,988 

 

 

353,229 

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

19,053,478 

 

 

10,961,631 

 

Stock option expense

 

 

4,846,906 

 

 

6,856,029 

 

Agent equity program

 

 

21,253,677 

 

 

5,857,554 

 

Amortization of debt discount

 

 

21,196 

 

 

 -

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(10,520,725)

 

 

(3,884,982)

 

Prepaids and other assets

 

 

(1,179,040)

 

 

(279,361)

 

Customer deposits

 

 

1,597,017 

 

 

441,489 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

608,935 

 

 

317,667 

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

10,165,643 

 

 

6,076,062 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

24,310,719 

 

 

4,568,353 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of fixed assets

 

 

(2,134,462)

 

 

(1,281,147)

 

Payment for business acquisition and intangibles

 

 

(6,725,000)

 

 

 -

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(8,859,462)

 

 

(1,281,147)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

 -

 

 

142,158 

 

Repurchase and retirement of subsidiary common stock

 

 

 -

 

 

(3,607)

 

Proceeds from exercise of options

 

 

2,015,034 

 

 

46,596 

 

Principal payments of notes payable

 

 

 -

 

 

(35,778)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

2,015,034 

 

 

149,369 

 

Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(20,870)

 

 

(7,660)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

17,445,421 

 

 

3,428,915 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

 

 

5,595,227 

 

 

2,166,312 

 

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD

 

$

23,040,648 

 

$

5,595,227 

 



 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

 -

 

$

2,077 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

72,682 

 

$

97,234 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for business acquisition

 

$

1,000,000 

 

$

 -

 

Liabilities incurred associated with business acquisition

 

$

4,107,800 

 

$

 -

 

Fixed asset purchases in accounts payable

 

$

86,946 

 

$

71,890 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

33


eXp World Holdings, Inc.


Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2018


(ExpressedAmounts in U.S. dollars)thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)

1.        BASIS OF PRESENTATION  

1.DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

eXp World Holdings, Inc. (the(collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “we” or “eXp”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on July 30, 2008. Through various operating subsidiaries, the Company primarily operates a cloud-based real estate brokerage operating throughout the United States, and most of the Canadian provinces. During the previous five fiscal quarters, the Company began operations in all U.S. States, the District of ColumbiaUnited Kingdom (U.K.), Australia, South Africa, Portugal, France, India, and the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, Canada.Mexico. The Company focuses on a number of cloud-based technologies in order to grow an international brokerage without the burden of physical bricks and mortar or redundant staffing costs.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and are expressed in U.S. dollars. The Company’s fiscal year end is December 31. We

Common stock split

On January 19, 2021, the Company declared a 2-for-one stock split of the Company’s common stock effected in the form of a stock dividend (the “Stock Split”) on each share of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock. The stock dividend was issued on February 12, 2021 to holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock at the close of business on January 29, 2021. All share and per share amounts presented herein have reclassified certain amounts in prior-period financial statementsbeen retroactively adjusted to conform toreflect the current period’s presentation.impact of the Stock Split.

Impact of the Stock Split

The Company has evaluated eventsimpacts of the Stock Split were applied retroactively for all periods presented in accordance with applicable guidance. Therefore, prior period amounts are different from those previously reported. Certain amounts within the following tables may not foot due to rounding.

The following table illustrates changes in earnings (loss) per share and transactionsweighted average shares outstanding as previously reported prior to, and as adjusted subsequent to, the balance sheet dateimpact of the Stock Split retroactively adjusted for the years ended December 31, 2019 and has disclosed all events or transactions that occurred2018:

Year ended December 31,

2019

2018

As Previously Reported

Impact of Stock Split

Revised

As Previously Reported

Impact of Stock Split

Revised

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

62,585,555

63,670,852

126,256,407

57,689,920

57,689,920

115,379,840

Diluted

62,585,555

63,670,852

126,256,407

57,689,920

57,689,920

115,379,840

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic

(0.15)

0.07

(0.08)

(0.39)

0.20

(0.19)

Diluted

(0.15)

0.07

(0.08)

(0.39)

0.20

(0.19)

The following table illustrates changes in equity as previously reported prior to, and as adjusted subsequent to, the balance sheet date but priorimpact of the Stock Split retroactively adjusted for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Year ended December 31,

2019

2018

As Previously Reported

Impact of Stock Split

Revised

As Previously Reported

Impact of Stock Split

Revised

Common stock:

Balance, beginning of year

60,609,102

60,609,102

121,218,204

54,962,535

54,962,535

109,925,070

Retirement of common stock

(1,818,273)

(1,818,273)

(3,636,546)

-

-

-

Shares issued for acquisition

-

-

-

97,371

97,371

194,742

Shares issued for stock options exercised

2,261,122

2,261,122

4,522,244

2,594,050

2,629,524

5,223,574

Agent growth incentive stock compensation

1,345,754

1,345,754

2,691,508

1,270,545

1,271,379

2,541,924

Agent equity stock compensation

3,801,603

3,801,603

7,603,206

1,684,601

1,648,293

3,332,894

Balance, end of year

66,199,308

66,199,308

132,398,616

60,609,102

60,609,102

121,218,204

Common stock, par value (1)

$ 1

$ -

$ 1

$ 1

$ -

$ 1

(1)The par value of common stock changed by less than one thousand dollars and shows no impact due to rounding.

42

Stock awards under the Company’s equity incentive program for agents, where the performance metric had been achieved, were adjusted retroactively to filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K that would require recognition or disclosure ingive effect to the Consolidated Financial Statements.Stock Split retroactively adjusted for the following periods:

Shares

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

As Previously Reported

Impact of Stock Split

Revised

As Previously Reported

Impact of Stock Split

Revised

Balance, December 31, 2018

3,872,877

3,872,877

7,745,754

$ 11.63

($ 5.82)

$ 5.82

Granted

1,687,457

1,687,457

3,374,914

9.23

(4.62)

4.62

Vested and issued

(1,494,633)

(1,494,633)

(2,989,266)

11.21

(5.60)

5.61

Forfeited

(677,592)

(677,592)

(1,355,184)

3.39

(1.70)

1.70

Balance, December 31, 2019

3,388,109

3,388,109

6,776,218

$ 11.04

($ 5.52)

$ 5.52

The Company’s stock options were adjusted retroactively to give effect to the Stock Split for the following periods:

2.       SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Options

Weighted Average Exercise Price

As Previously Reported

Impact of Stock Split

Revised

As Previously Reported

Impact of Stock Split

Revised

Balance, December 31, 2018

8,697,613

8,697,613

17,395,226

$ 2.08

($ 1.04)

$ 1.04

Granted

776,746

776,746

1,553,492

9.44

(4.72)

4.72

Exercised

(2,261,122)

(2,261,122)

(4,522,244)

1.02

(0.51)

0.51

Forfeited

(437,881)

(437,881)

(875,762)

7.94

(3.97)

3.97

Balance, December 31, 2019

6,775,356

6,775,356

13,550,712

$ 2.90

($ 1.45)

$ 1.45

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying audited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of eXp World Holdings, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and its subsidiaries. All inter-company accountsincluding those entities in which we have a variable interest of which we are the primary beneficiary. If the Company has a variable interest in an entity but it is not the primary beneficiary of the entity or exercises control over the operations and has less than 50% ownership, it will use the equity method or the cost method of accounting for investments. Entities in which the Company has less than a 20% investment and where the Company does not exercise significant influence are accounted for under the cost method. Intercompany transactions have beenand balances are eliminated upon consolidation.

Variable interest entities and noncontrolling interests

A company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE and must consolidate the entity if the company has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

In 2019, the Company made capital contributions in consideration for an ownership interest in First Cloud Investment Group, LLC (“First Cloud”), a Nevada limited liability company providing mortgage origination for end-consumers, with the remaining ownership interests held by certain independent agents and brokers. Under the terms of the operating agreement, the Company maintains at least a 50% equity ownership interest in First Cloud.

The Company determined that First Cloud is a VIE, as the Company is the primary beneficiary that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE and a variable interest that potentially could be significant to the VIE. The Company treats the interest in First Cloud that it does not own as a noncontrolling interest. The noncontrolling interest balance is adjusted each period to reflect the allocation of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest, as shown in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The noncontrolling interest balance in the consolidated balance sheets represents the proportional share of the equity of the joint venture entity, which is attributable to the noncontrolling shareholders.

As of December 31, 2020, First Cloud’s operations are not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Joint ventures

A joint venture is a contractual arrangement whereby the Company and other parties undertake an economic activity through a jointly controlled entity. Joint control exists when strategic, financial, and operating policy decisions relating to the activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method and are recognized initially at cost.

43

The Company has investments in a joint venture, Silverline Title & Escrow, LLC (“Silverline”), which operates and manages a title agency that performs, among other functions, core title agent services (for which liabilities arises), including the evaluation of searches to determine the insurability of title, the clearance of underwriting objections, the actual issuance of policies on behalf of insurance companies, and, where customary, the issuance of title commitments and the conducting of title searchers. The Company owns a 50% ownership interest in Silverline with the remaining ownership interest held by a third-party investment company. The Company recognizes its share of income and expenses and equity movement in the venture in proportion to its percentage of ownership.

As of December 31, 2020, Silverline’s operations are not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates estimates and assumptions related to provisionsallowance for doubtful accounts,credit losses, legal contingencies, income taxes, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, expense accruals,goodwill, and deferred income tax asset valuation allowances. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected.

Reclassifications

The Company has reclassified certain amounts in prior-period financial statements to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net income (loss) or total stockholders’ equity.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considersCash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market instruments, and all other highly liquid instrumentsinvestments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the timedate of issuance to be cash equivalents. From time to time, the Company’s cash deposits exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses resulting from these excess deposits.

acquisition.

Restricted cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheet that sums to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows.

34




 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

December 31, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

20,538,057 

 

$

4,672,034 

Restricted cash

 

 

2,502,591 

 

 

923,193 

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows

 

$

23,040,648 

 

$

5,595,227 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 – Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 240) which changed the classification and presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows.  The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018.  As a result, restricted cash was reclassified from cash provided from operating activities to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. 

For the year ended December 31, 2017, the change in restricted cash of $441,489 was reclassified from operating activities to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on the statement of cash flows.

Restricted cash consists of cash held in escrow by the Company’s brokers and agents on behalf of real estate buyers. The Company recognizes a corresponding customer deposit liability until the funds are released. Once the cash is transferred from escrow, the Company reduces the respective customers’ deposit liability.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown on the statement of cash flows.

    

December 31, 2019

    

December 31, 2018

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 40,087

$ 20,538

Restricted cash

6,987

2,503

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning balance

$ 47,074

$ 23,041

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 100,143

$ 40,087

Restricted cash

27,781

6,987

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, ending balance

$ 127,924

$ 47,074

Fair value measurements

ASC 820 definesThe fair value asof a financial instrument is the priceamount that wouldcould be received to sellupon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reportingmeasurement date. The methodology establishes consistencyFinancial assets are marked to bid prices and comparability by providing a three-tieredfinancial liabilities are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements do not include transaction costs. The fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputsquality and reliability of the information used to valuation techniquesdetermine fair values. Categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined into the following three broad levels, which are described below:categories:

44

Input Level

Definitions

Level 1

Level 1 inputsInputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (these are observable market inputs).

Level 2 inputs

Inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability (includes quoted market prices for similar assets or identical or similar assets in markets in which there are few transactions, prices that are not current or prices that vary substantially).

Level 3 inputs

Inputs are unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumptions in pricing the asset or liability (used when little or no market data is available).

The Company holds funds in a money market account. The Company values its money market funds at fair value on a recurring basis.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2018



 

 

Adjusted Cost

 

 

Unrealized Gains

 

 

Unrealized Losses

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash

 

$

12,486,395 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

12,486,395 

 

$

12,486,395 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

 

8,051,662 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

8,051,662 

 

 

8,051,662 

Subtotal

 

 

20,538,057 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

20,538,057 

 

 

20,538,057 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 3

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

20,538,057 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

20,538,057 

 

$

20,538,057 

The Company did not have investments in money market fundsAccounts receivable and allowance for the year ended December 31, 2017.

There have been no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 in the period presented. We did not have any Level 2 or Level 3 financial assets or liabilities in the period presented.

35


Allowance for doubtful accounts

expected credit losses

The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable consists of commissions receivable on real estate property settlements, which are in-substance guaranteed because they represent commission payments on closed transactions. The remaining accounts receivable is derived from non-commission based technology fees.fees and short-term advances to agents and brokers. These accounts receivable are typically unsecured.

The allowance for doubtful accountsexpected credit losses is our estimate based on historical experience. WeThe Company periodically performperforms detailed reviews to assess the adequacy of the allowance. We exerciseThe Company exercises significant judgment in estimating the timing, frequency and severity of losses.

The Company uses the aging schedule method to estimate current expected credit losses (“CECL”) based on days of delinquency, including information about past events and current economic conditions. The Company’s accounts receivable is separated into the three categories above to evaluate allowance under the CECL impairment model. The receivables in each category share similar risk characteristics. The Company analyzes uncollectable accounts for the three categories of receivables. Based on historical information and future expectations, only agent non-commission based fees receivables and agent short-term advances carry any risk of expected credit losses. Current economic conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions do not affect expected credit losses on uncollectable real estate property settlements. The collection of these payments is in-substance guaranteed because they represent commission payments on closed transactions, and the Company has no historical experience or expectation of losses related to these receivables.

The Company typically does not experience material uncollectible accounts.increases the allowance for expected credits losses when the Company determines all or a portion of a receivable is uncollectable. The Company recognizes recoveries as a decrease to the allowance for expected credit losses.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, receivables from real estate property settlements totaled $73,838 and $24,924, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, agent non-commission based fees receivable and short-term advances totaled $4,992, of which the Company recognized expected credit losses of $1,879. As of December 31, 2019, agent non-commission based fees receivable and short-term advances totaled $3,409, of which the Company recognized allowance for doubtful accounts of $137.

Foreign currency translation

The Company’s functional and reporting currency is the United States dollar and the functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency of their country of domicile. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at rates of exchange in effect at the date of the transaction. Average monthly rates are used to translate revenues and expenses. Gains and losses arising on translation or settlement of foreign currency denominated transactions or balances are included in the determinationconsolidated statements of income.operations in other (income) expense, net. The Company does not employ any derivative ora hedging strategy to offsetmanage the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Fixed assets

Fixed assets are stated at historical cost and are depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. Useful lives are:

Computer hardware and software:3 to 5 years

Furniture, fixtures and equipment:5 to 7 years

Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that substantially increase an asset’s useful life or improve an asset’s functionality are capitalized.

The Company capitalizes the costs associated with developing its internal-use cloud-based residential real-estate transaction system. Capitalized costs are primarily related to costs incurred in relation to internally created software during the application development stage including costs for upgrades and enhancements that result in additional functionality.

45

Leases

Leases are agreements, or terms within agreements, that convey the right to control the use of and receive substantially all of the economic benefit from an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company currently only possesses office space leases.

Right-of-use assets

The Company recognizes right-of-use (“ROU”) assets at the commencement date of the lease. ROU assets are measured at cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and are adjusted concurrent with the remeasurement of corresponding lease liabilities resulting from a change in future lease payments or a change in the assessment of whether any purchase, extension, or termination options will be exercised.

The cost of ROU assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognized, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received, if any. Unless the Company is reasonably certain to obtain ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease term, the ROU assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of its estimated useful life and the lease term.

Lease liabilities

At the commencement date of a lease, the Company recognizes a lease liability measured at the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term. Variable lease payments are recognized as expense in the period in which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs. In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if the implicit interest rate in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced by the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, or a change in the assessment to purchase the underlying asset.

Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets

The Company applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and which do not contain a purchase option. The Company does not capitalize leases with a present value of below its minimum capitalization threshold as it would not materially affect the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Lease payments on short-term leases and low-value leases are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Refer to Note 10 – Leases for more information.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration paid over the estimated fair value of assets acquired and Intangible Assets

We testliabilities assumed in a business combination. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annuallyon an annual basis in the fiscal fourth quarter or when a triggeringon an interim basis if an event occurs. The first stepoccurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not indicate that the fair value of the goodwill impairment test compares the reporting unit’s estimated fair value withis below its carrying value. IfGenerally, this evaluation begins with a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than its carrying value. The test for impairment requires management to make judgments relating to future cash flows, growth rates and economic and market conditions. In addition to the annual impairment evaluation, the Company evaluates at least quarterly whether events or circumstances have occurred in the period subsequent to the annual impairment testing which indicate that it is more likely than not an impairment loss has occurred.

The Company did 0t recognize an impairment for either of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Intangible assets

The Company’s intangible assets are finite lived and consist primarily of trade name, technology and customer relationships. Each intangible asset is amortized on a straight-line basis over its useful life, ranging from three to 10 years. The Company evaluates its intangible assets for recoverability and potential impairment, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.

The Company recognized an impairment of a reporting unit’s net$225 for the year ended December 31, 2020. NaN impairment was recognized for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Software development costs

The Company capitalizes software development costs related to products to be sold, leased, or marketed to external users and internal-use software.

46

Business combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, under which the consideration for the acquisition is allocated to the assets exceeds itsacquired and liabilities assumed. The Company recognizes identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date fair value,values as determined by management as of the second step would be applied to measure the difference between the carrying value and implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the goodwill would be considered impaired and would be reduced to its implied fair value.

acquisition date. Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates and market factors. Estimating the fair value of individual reporting units requires usthe Company to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans,significant changes or planned changes in the use of the assets, as well as industry and economic conditions. These assumptions and estimates include projected revenues and income growth rates, terminal growth rates, competitive and consumer trends, market-based discount rates, and other market factors. If current expectations of future growth rates are not met or market factors outside of ourthe Company’s control such as discount rates, change significantly, then our goodwill or intangible assets mightmay become impaired in the future.impaired. Additionally, as goodwill and intangible assets associated with recently acquired businesses are recorded on the balance sheet at their estimated acquisition date fair values, those amounts are more susceptible to an impairment risk if business operating results or macroeconomic conditions deteriorate.

Definite-lived intangible assetsAcquisition-related costs, such as due diligence, legal and accounting fees, are amortized on a straight-line basis overexpensed as incurred and not considered in determining the estimated periods benefited and are reviewed when appropriate for possible impairment.

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fair value of the acquired assets.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events and circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such asset is less than its carrying value. When assets are considered impaired, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved.

Stock basedStock-based compensation

Our stock-based compensation is comprised of agent growth incentive programs, agent equity program, and stock option awards. Stock-based compensation is more fully disclosed in Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity. The Company accounts for all stock‑basedstock-based compensation granted to employees and non‑employeesnon-employees using a fair value method. Stock‑basedStock-based compensation awarded to employees isawards are measured at the grant date fair value and isare recognized over the requisite service period of the awards, usually the vesting period, on a straight‑linestraight-line basis, net of forfeitures. AccrualsThe Company reduces stock-based compensation for forfeitures when they occur.

Recognition of compensation cost for an award with a performance condition areis based on the probable outcome of that performance condition. Compensation cost is accrued if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved and is not accrued if it is not probable that the performance condition will be achieved. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2018-07 on July 1, 2018 described below in "Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements", stock‑based compensation awarded to non‑employees under our Real Estate Agent Growth Program and Stock Option Awards Plan was subject to revaluation over its vesting term. Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2018-07, non-employee share-based payment awards are measured on the date of grant, similar to share-based payment awards granted to employees. The Company reduces recorded stock‑based compensation for forfeitures when they occur. 

The Company early adopted ASU 2018-07 on July 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method.  The reported results for 2018 reflect the application of ASC 718 guidance for non-employee share-based awards while the reported results for 2017 were prepared under the guidance of ASC 505 for non-employee stock-based compensation.  The adoption of ASU 2018-07 for non-employee stock-based compensation represents a change in accounting principle that more closely aligns the accounting for stock-based compensation for employee and non-employee share-based payment awards.

The cumulative effect of applying the new guidance to all non-employee share-based payment awards was recorded as an adjustment to accumulated deficit as of the adoption date.  As a result of applying the modified retrospective method  upon the adoption of the new stock-based compensation guidance, an adjustment of $5.7 million was made to the opening balance of accumulated deficit and additional paid-in capital as of January 1, 2018.

being met.

Revenue recognition

Effective January 1, 2018,The Company generates substantially all of its revenue from real estate brokerage services and generates a de minimis portion of its revenues from software subscription and professional services. The Company estimates revenue in instances where there is sufficient evidence that a real estate transaction has closed but all of the necessary documentation has not been received. The recognition of any estimated revenue is verified through the passage of time. As such, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09 - Revenue from Contractsdoes not have contracts with Customers (Topic 606) using the modified retrospective application in which the cumulative effect of initially applying the revenue standard is recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.  Adoption of the new standard did not require the Company to make an adjustment to the opening balance.   customers that provide variable consideration.

Real Estate Brokerage Services

The Company serves as a licensed broker in the areas in which it operates for the purpose of processing residential real estate transactions. The Company is contractually obligated to provide services for the fulfillment of transfers of residential real estate between buyers and sellers. The Company provides these services itself and controls the serviceservices necessary to legally transfer the residential real estate. Correspondingly, the Company is defined as the Principal.principal. The Company, as Principal,principal, satisfies its obligation upon the closing of a residential real estate transaction. As Principal,principal, and upon satisfaction of ourthe performance obligation, the Company recognizedrecognizes revenue in the gross amount of consideration to which we expectthe Company expects to be entitled to.entitled.

Revenue is derived from assisting home buyers and sellers in listing, marketing, selling, and finding residential real estate. Commissions earned on real estate transactions are recognized at a point in time upon the completion of a residential real estate transaction once wethe Company has satisfied the performance obligation. Agent related fees are currently recorded as a reduction to commissions and other agent related costs.

Software Subscription and Professional Services

Subscription revenue is derived from fees from customers to access the Company’s virtual reality software platform. The terms of subscriptions do not provide customers the right to take possession of the software. Subscription revenue is generally recognized ratably over the contract term.

47

Professional services revenue is derived from implementation and consulting services. Professional services revenue is typically recognized over time as the services are rendered, using an efforts-expended (labor hours) input method. 

The Company does not currently collect sales and use taxes on fees from agents and brokers and assumes responsibility to pay these costs to the appropriate taxing authorities.

Disaggregated revenue

The Company primarily operates as a real estate brokerage firm. The vast majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from providing a single service, real estate brokerage services, to purchasers and sellers of homes in the U.S. See Note 15 – Segment information for details regarding segment and geographic information.

Management believes that no disaggregation of revenue from services to customers currently exists that would provide additional insight into the future recognition of revenue and cash flows.

Revenue share expenses

The Company has a revenue sharing plan where its agents and brokers can receive additional commission income from real estate transactions consummated by agents and brokers they have satisfied our performance obligation.

attracted to the Company. Agents and brokers are eligible for revenue share based on the number of frontline qualifying active (“FLQA”) agents they have attracted to the Company. An FLQA agent is an agent or broker that an agent has personally attracted to the Company who has met specific real estate transaction volume requirements. These additional commissions are earned on a multitiered basis by FLQA agents and brokers for real estate transactions within their downstream brokerage network. Commissions to agents and brokers under the revenue sharing plan are included as part of commissions and other agent-related costs in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Advertising and marketing costs

Advertising and marketing costs are generally expensed in the period incurred. Advertising and marketing expenses are included in the sales and marketing expense line item on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.comprehensive income (loss). For the years ended December 31, 20182020, 2019, and 2017,2018, the Company incurred advertising and marketing expenses of $2,403,941$5,223, $3,799, and $1,258,334.

37


$2,961, respectively.

Income taxes

DeferredThe Company records income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise fromare recorded based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of an asset or liabilityexisting assets and its reported amountliabilities. These differences are measured using the enacted statutory tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred income taxes of a change in tax rates in income in the financial statements as well as from net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. period that includes the enactment date.

The measurement of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of enacted tax laws; the effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduceCompany recognizes deferred tax assets to the amount expectedextent that it believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. Income tax expense or benefit isIn making such a determination, the tax payable or refundable, respectively, forCompany considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If the period adjusted for the change during the period inCompany determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process whereby: (i) it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and liabilities. (ii) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

For U.S. income tax returns, the open taxation years subject to examination range from 20122011 to 2018.

2020.

Comprehensive income (loss)

The Company’s only componentcomponents of comprehensive income (loss) isare net income (losses) and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Net incomeEarnings (loss) per share

Basic net incomeearnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted incomeearnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus, if potentially dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In January 2017, The Company does not pay dividends or have participating shares outstanding. Prior period results have been adjusted to reflect the FASB issued ASU 2017-04effect of the Stock Split. Refer to Note 12Intangibles – Goodwill and Oher (Topic 350). This ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, if a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, the entity will record an impairment charge based on that difference. The impairment charge will be limitedEarnings (Loss) Per Share for details related to the amountcalculations of goodwill allocatedbasic and diluted earnings per share.

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Recently adopted accounting principles

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments, requiring entities to that reporting unit. Previously, ifestimate an expected lifetime credit loss on financial assets. The ASU amends the fair value of a reporting unit was lower than its carrying amount (Step 1),impairment model to utilize an entity was requiredexpected loss methodology and replaces the incurred loss methodology for financial instruments including trade receivables. The amendment requires entities to calculate any impairment charge by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount (Step 2). Additionally, under the new standard, entities that have reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts will no longer be required to perform the qualitative assessment to determine whether to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts will generally be expected to pass the simplified impairment test; however, additional disclosure will be required of those entities. Thisconsider other factors, such as economic conditions and future economic conditions. The Company adopted ASU will be2016-13 effective beginning in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2020. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The new guidance must be adopted on a prospective basis. The Company is evaluating the timing of adoption.  We currently do2020 and concluded it did not expect this ASU to have a material impact on oureither the financial statements andposition, results of operations, cash flows, or related disclosures.disclosures of the Company. There was no impact on beginning balance retained earnings upon adoption of this ASU.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842).  Under the new guidance, a lessee is required to recognize lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets, initially measured at the present value of lease payments, on the balance sheet for operating leases with terms greater than one year.  Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged from existing lease accounting.  For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities.  If the lessee makes the election, the lessee would recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  This ASU is effective in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and the interim periods within that fiscal year.   

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In JulyAugust 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-112018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)Leases (Topic 842)Disclosure FrameworkTargeted Improvements.  The amendments in this Update provide entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Under this new transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustmentChanges to the opening balanceDisclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which removes certain disclosure requirements related to the fair value hierarchy, such as removing the requirement to disclose the amount of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Consequently, an entity’s reportingand reasons for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new leases standard will continue to be in accordance with current GAAP (Topic 840, Leases). An entity that elects this additional (and optional) transition method must provide the required Topic 840 disclosures for all periods that continue to be in accordance with Topic 840. The amendments do not change thetransfers between Level 1 and Level 2, modifies existing disclosure requirements in Topic 840 (for example, they do not create interimrelated to measurement uncertainty and adds new disclosure requirements, that entities previously were not requiredsuch as disclosing the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to provide).

ASU No. 2016-02 – Leases (Topic) 842 will be adopted under the transition method effective January 1, 2019.  We currently do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.  The most significant impact will be the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease obligations for operating leases.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07 – Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718).  The ASU was issued as part of its Simplification Initiative to reduce costs and complexities of financial reporting.  ASU No. 2018-07 simplifies the accounting for share-based payments granted to nonemployees for goods and services.  Under the ASU, most of the guidance on such payments to nonemployees would be aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees.  Currently, share-based payments transactions to nonemployees are measured atdevelop Level 3 fair value and remeasured at each reporting date through the date of final vesting.  This ASU changes the guidance related to the determination of the measurement date.  Under the new guidance, equity-classified awards would be measured at the grant date.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted if financial statements have not yet been issued.  The Company elected to early-adopt ASU No. 2018-07 effective July 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective application with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit and additional paid-in-capital as of the beginning of the fiscal year.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09 - Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. The FASB issued guidance to clarify when to account for a change in the terms or conditions of share-based payments awards as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. The general model for modifications of share-based payment awards is to record the incremental value arising from the change as additional compensation costs. Previously, judgments about whether certain changes to an award were substantive may have impacted whether or not modification accounting was applied in these situations.measurement. The Company adopted the new standardASU 2018-13 on January 1, 2018.  The standard2020 and concluded it did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, operational results or cash flows. statements and related disclosures.

In November 2016,August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-182018-15Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 240). The FASB issued guidance to address the diversityIntangibles – Goodwill and Other Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flowsa Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”).The amendments require thatin this update apply to an entity who is a statementcustomer in a hosting arrangement accounted for as a service contract. ASU 2018-15 requires a customer in a hosting arrangement to capitalize certain implementation costs. Costs associated with the application development stage of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalentsimplementation should be includedcapitalized and costs with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cashflows.other stages should be expensed. The Company adopted the new standardASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2018.  The standard2020 and concluded it did not have a materialan impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, operational results or cash flows.statements and related disclosures.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

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In May 2014,December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers2019-12 – Income Taxes (Topic 606)740). The objective of the revenue standard isASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions for investments, intraperiod allocations and interim calculations and adds guidance to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition modelreduce complexity in accounting for all contracts with customers to remove inconsistencies in requirements, provide a robust framework, improve comparability across entities and industries, provide more useful information to users and simplify the preparation of financial statements. The core principle of the revenue standard is that revenue be recognized upon the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services.  Subsequent to the issuance ofincome taxes. ASU 2014-09, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contacts with Customers: Principal Versus Agent Considerations, ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, and ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The additional ASU’s clarified certain provisions of ASU 2014-09 in response to recommendations from the Transition Resources Group established by the FASB.

The new standard permits for two alternative implementation methods, the use of either (1) full retrospective application to each prior reporting presented or (2) modified retrospective application in which the cumulative effect of initially applying the revenue standard is recognized as an adjustment to the opting balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. This ASU2019-12 is effective in annual reportingfor fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017 and the interim periods within that year.2020; early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the new standard effectivethis amendment on January 1, 2018 using2021. The Company has assessed the modified retrospective method. Sinceamendments of ASU 2019-12 and determined the Company currently recognizes revenue on a gross basis acting as a principal, upon completion of its performance obligations in the form of a completed residential real estate sale, adoption of the standard did notamendments to have a material effectan immaterial impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, operationalstatements and related disclosures.

3.ACQUISITIONS

The following discussion relates to acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2020. Neither of these business combinations were deemed material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. NaN business combinations were executed during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Showcase Web Sites, L.L.C.

  3.       ACQUISITIONS

VirBELA 

On November 29, 2018, (the “Acquisition Date”),July 31, 2020, the Company and its newly formed subsidiary, eXp World Technologies, LLC (“Purchaser) acquired substantially all the assets of VirBELA, LLC,  a California limited liability company.  VirBELA provides a cloud-based environment focused on educational and innovative learning technologies to enhance global education experiences that empower individuals, teams, and organizations for clients in various industries.  Its model allows for a level of engagement and participation that can typically only be achieved with face-to-face instruction.  Its proprietary immersive 3D campus, which supports blended learning and big data assessment, is highly customizable to meet the branding and educational needs of clients.  VirBELA developed the Company’s current cloud campus called eXp World, which provides 24/7 access to collaborative tools, training and socialization for the Company’s real estate agents and employees.    The acquisition of VirBELA’s core group of products and services will allow eXp Realty to continue to accelerate its business in a sustainable and innovative way, which is consistent with eXp World Holdings’ vision to expand the product offering to agents, teams and others who could benefit from their own, always available environments for collaboration.    

The Company acquired the assetsequity ownership interests in Showcase Web Sites, L.L.C. (“Showcase”) for cash consideration of VirBELA for$1.5 million using cash on hand and two-year promissory notes totaling $1.5 million (the “Showcase Acquisition”). Showcase is a total purchase price of $10,607,800,  consisting of cash to be paid of $7,000,000technology company focused on agent website and shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $3,607,800.  A cash payment of $6,500,000 was paid at closing with $500,000 included in accounts payable being held byconsumer real estate portal technology. With this acquisition, the Company to secure the Seller’s performance of certain post-close obligations and 97,371 shares of the Company restricted common stock having a value of $1,000,000 was issued at closing.  The remaining shares of the Company’s common stock will be issued having a valueable to strategically focus on creating consumer home-search technology for utilization by independent agents and brokers, as well as continued services offerings to third party clients of $1,000,000 on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the Closing Date.  The present value of future deliveries of eXp World Holdings, Inc. stock, calculated using a discount rate of 10%, is $2,607,800, which represents fair value as of the Acquisition Date.  The discount of $392,200 will be amortized over the reporting periods using the effective interest method during Fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021.Showcase.

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The following table showsoutlines the preliminary allocationfair value of the purchase price of VirBELA, LLC to the acquired identifiable assets and goodwill:liabilities from the Showcase Acquisition:

Identifiable assets acquired and goodwill

Cash

$ 138

Accounts receivable, net

3

$

4,273 

InventoryPrepaid & other current assets

20

968 

Fixed assets, net

17

23,452 

Intangible assetsShowcase tradename

277

Existing technology

135

Customer relationships

2,331,000 

240

Goodwill

2,310

Liabilities assumed

Deferred liabilities & other current liabilities

8,248,107 

140

Total purchase price

$ 3,000

Success Enterprises, LLC

On December 4, 2020, the Company acquired the equity ownership interests in Success Enterprises LLC (“Success”) and its related media properties, including SUCCESS® print magazine, SUCCESS.com, SUCCESS® newsletters, podcasts, digital training courses and affiliated social media accounts across platforms (the “Success Acquisition”).

On November 4, 2020, Sanford Enterprises, LLC (“Sanford Enterprises”), a wholly-owned entity of Mr. Glenn Sanford, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company, purchased all of the membership equity interests in Success from Success Partners Holding Co, a third party media vendor to the Company, for $8.0 million in cash. On December 4, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of Success from Sanford Enterprises, LLC for cash consideration of $8.0 million using cash on hand. Refer to Note 16 – Related Party Transactions.

The following table outlines the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities from the Success Acquisition:

Identifiable assets acquired and goodwill

Accounts receivable, net

$ 165

Inventory

10,607,800 

236

Prepaid & other current assets

36

Fixed assets, net

3

Success tradename

1,422

Content

2,720

Domains and social media

116

Customer relationships

915

Goodwill

2,387

Total purchase price

$ 8,000

4.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

The Company holds funds in a money market account, which are considered Level 1 assets. The Company values its money market funds at fair value on a recurring basis.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the fair value of the Company’s money market funds was $53,380 and $18,281, respectively.

There have been no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 in the periods presented. The Acquisition has beenCompany did not have any Level 2 or Level 3 financial assets or liabilities in the periods presented.

5.PREPAIDS AND OTHER ASSETS

Prepaids and other assets consisted of the following:

    

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2019

Prepaid expenses

$ 2,489

$ 1,730

Prepaid insurance

2,318

954

Rent deposits

123

73

Other assets (includes inventory)

2,420

792

Total prepaid expenses

$ 7,350

$ 3,549

50

6.
6.PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following:

    

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Computer hardware and software

$ 13,828

$ 8,431

Furniture, fixture, and equipment

20

21

Total depreciable property and equipment

13,848

8,452

Less: accumulated depreciation

(6,738)

(3,378)

Depreciable property, net

7,110

5,074

Assets under development

738

354

Property, plant, and equipment, net

$ 7,848

$ 5,428

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, depreciation expense was $3,360, $2,057, and $870, respectively.

7.GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were:

December 31, 2020

    

December 31, 2019

Goodwill

$ 8,248

$ 8,248

Acquisitions

4,697

-

Total goodwill

$ 12,945

$ 8,248

Goodwill was recorded in connection with the acquisitions of Showcase in July 2020 and Success in December 2020 and represents fair value as of the acquisition dates. Each acquisition was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company allocated the total purchase price to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired, and assumed liabilities based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, as determined by management. The excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair values of the identifiable assets was recorded as goodwill. Goodwill generated from the Acquisition is primarily attributable to an assembled workforce and planned expansion of VirBELA into new markets.

The preliminary purchase price allocation to identifiable intangible assets acquired in the VirBELA acquisition was:

Tradename

$

1,169,000 

Existing Technology

297,000 

Non-competition agreements

125,000 

Customer contracts

740,000 

   Total intangible assets purchased

$

2,331,000 

The allocation of the fair value of the acquired business was based on preliminary valuations of the estimated net fair value of the assets acquired.  The fair value estimates of the assets acquired are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the Acquisition Date). The primary areas of accounting for the Acquisition that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain intangible assets acquired and residual goodwill.  For tax purposes, goodwill is amortized over 15 years and this amortization is tax deductible. The fair values of these net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. While we believe that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired, we will evaluate any necessary information prior to finalization of the fair value. During the measurement period, we will adjust preliminary valuations assigned to assets and liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the Acquisition Date, if any, that, if known, would have resulted in revised values for these items as of that date. The impact of all changes, if any, that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments will be included in current period earnings.

The Company used carrying values as of the Acquisition Date to value trade receivables, inventory, and fixed assets, as we determined that they represented the fair value of those items at the Acquisition Date.

The Company valued the VirBELA tradename using an Income Approach known as the Relief from Royalty method.  We applied a royalty rate of 1.0% to the VirBELA tradename.  Once the royalty savings were calculated, we converted to a value using a discounted cash flow technique using a discount rate of 14.0%, to arrive at the estimated fair value.  The VirBELA tradename is new and is not a mature brand name.  Tradenames are being amortized over its estimated useful life of 10 years. 

Similar to the valuation of tradenames, we valued existing technology using the Relief from Royalty method.  We applied a royalty rate of 5.0% to the VirBELA technology.  Once the royalty savings were calculated, we converted to a value using a discounted cash flow technique using a discount rate of 14.0% to arrive at the estimated fair value of existing technology. Existing technology is being amortized over its estimated useful life of five years.  We estimated a useful life of five years since the software will continue to be modified and changed over the next several years making it significantly different than the software acquired today.

41


The Company valued non-competition agreements using a Loss Profits method.  We prepared two projections of net income for the business. One projection which assumed the non-competition agreements were in place and one projection which assumed that no non-competition agreements were in place.  The difference in cash flows from these two projections over the life of the non-competition agreements was discounted to present value at a rate of 14.0% to arrive at the estimated fair value of the non-competition agreements.  Non-competition agreements are being amortized over their useful lives of three years which is equal to the contractual life of the non-competition agreements.

The Company valued customer contracts using the Multi-Period Excess Earnings Method (MPEEM).  In the MPEEM, value is estimated as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the subject intangible asset in excess of the returns on the contributory assets required to realize those benefits.  Taxes have been estimated based upon an effective total state and federal tax rate of 29.4% and the projected return on net assets was 14.0%.  These inputs were used to determine an estimated fair value of customer contracts.  Customer contracts are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of 10 years.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company incurred total acquisition costs of $141,498.  The acquisition costs were primarily related to legal, accounting and consulting services and were expensed as incurred through December 31, 2018 and are included in General and Administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

From the Acquisition date, the results of operations of VirBELA have been included in and are immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. Pro forma revenue and results of operations have not been presented, being the historical results of VirBELA are not material to our consolidated statements of operations in any period presented.

  4.       PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

Prepaid expenses

 

$

1,070,064 

 

$

219,074 

Prepaid insurance

 

 

706,435 

 

 

287,244 

Rent deposits

 

 

51,113 

 

 

68,196 

Other assets

 

 

30,376 

 

 

16,520 



 

$

1,857,988 

 

$

591,034 

 5.       FIXED ASSETS, NET

Fixed assets, net consisted of the following:



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017



 

 

 

 

 

 

Computer hardware and software

 

$

3,925,129 

 

$

1,982,749 

Furniture, fixture and equipment

 

 

5,910 

 

 

5,910 

Total depreciable property and equipment

 

 

3,931,039 

 

 

1,988,659 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(1,320,103)

 

 

(450,446)

Depreciable property, net

 

 

2,610,936 

 

 

1,538,213 

Assets under development

 

 

128,589 

 

 

Fixed assets, net

 

$

2,739,525 

 

$

1,538,213 

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $869,658, and $353,229 respectively.

42


6.       GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were:

Total

Balance at December 31, 2016 and 2017

$

 -

Acquisitions

8,248,107 

Balance at December 31, 2108

$

8,248,107 

Our goodwill was recently recorded in connection with the acquisition of VirBELA in November 2018 and represents preliminary fair value as of the acquisition date.  We havehas a risk of future impairment to the extent that individual reporting unit performance does not meet our projections. Additionally, if our current assumptions and estimates, including projected revenues and income growth rates, terminal growth rates, competitive and consumer trends, market-based discount rates, and other market factors, are not met, or if valuation factors outside of ourthe Company’s control change unfavorably, the estimated fair value of our goodwill could be adversely affected, leading to a potential impairment in the future. NoNaN events occurred that indicated it was more likely than not that our goodwill was impaired.

Definite-Lived intangible assets at December 31, 2018 were:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

As of December 31, 2018



 

 

Gross Amount

 

 

Accumulated Amortization

 

 

Net Carrying Amount

Trade name

 

$

1,169,000 

 

$

(9,742)

 

$

1,159,258 

Existing technology

 

 

297,000 

 

 

(4,950)

 

 

292,050 

Non-competition agreements

 

 

125,000 

 

 

(3,472)

 

 

121,528 

Customer contracts

 

 

740,000 

 

 

(6,167)

 

 

733,833 

Software

 

 

225,000 

 

 

 -

 

 

225,000 

Total

 

$

2,556,000 

 

$

(24,331)

 

$

2,531,669 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were no definite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2017.  Definite-lived intangible assets were recently recorded in connection withas follows:

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Gross

Accumulated

Net Carrying

Gross

Accumulated

Net Carrying

    

Amount

    

Amortization

    

Amount

Amount

    

Amortization

    

Amount

Trade name

 

$ 2,868

 

($ 267)

 

$ 2,601

$ 1,169

 

($ 127)

 

$ 1,042

Existing technology

1,396

(415)

981

559

 

(99)

460

Non-competition agreements

125

(87)

38

125

 

(45)

80

Customer relationships

1,895

(170)

1,725

740

 

(80)

660

Software

-

-

-

225

 

-

225

Licensing agreement

210

(41)

169

210

 

-

210

Intellectual property

2,836

-

2,836

-

-

-

Total intangible assets

 

$ 9,330

 

($ 980)

 

$ 8,350

$ 3,028

 

($ 351)

 

$ 2,677

For the acquisition of VirBELA in Novemberyears ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, and acquisition of the ShowMeNow mobile application in October 2018.  Amortizationamortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets was $24,331 in 2018$629, $327, and zero in 2017.  We estimate$24, respectively.

As of December 31, 2020, expected amortization related to definite-lived intangible assets will be:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expected amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

366,967 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

366,967 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

363,494 

$ 1,199

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250,300 

 

1,122

2023 and thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,183,941 

2023

880

2024

665

2025 and thereafter

4,484

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,531,669 

 

$ 8,350

4351


7.       ACCRUED EXPENSES

8.ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consisted of the following:

    

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Commissions payable

$ 50,484

$ 26,030

Payroll payable

6,354

1,201

Taxes payable

1,008

1,205

Stock liability awards

2,093

750

Other accrued expenses

2,811

1,848

$ 62,750

$ 31,034

9.
9.DEBT

The Company issued unsecured promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1.5 million in connection with the Showcase Acquisition in July 2020. The promissory notes accrue interest of 8% per annum, and interest is payable monthly beginning six months after the acquisition date.

The first installment payment of outstanding principal in the amount of $0.5 million is due on July 31, 2021, the first anniversary of the acquisition date, with the second installment payment for the remaining $1.0 million of outstanding principal payable on July 31, 2022, the second anniversary of the acquisition date.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

Commissions payable

 

$

16,368,811 

 

$

7,565,357 

Payroll payable

 

 

1,117,830 

 

 

749,203 

Vacation payable

 

 

690,587 

 

 

283,077 

Taxes payable

 

 

217,820 

 

 

99,809 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

581,387 

 

 

120,734 



 

$

18,976,435 

 

$

8,818,180 
10.LEASES

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 – Leases (Topic 842) effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach whereby the cumulative effect of adoption was recognized on the adoption date and prior periods were not restated. There was no net cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2019 as a result of adoption. ASU 2018-11 – Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted Improvements permits an entity to apply the new leases standard at the date of adoption. Consequently, an entity’s reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new leases standard will continue to be in accordance with ASC 840 – Leases.

Operating leases

The Company’s lease portfolio consists of office leases with lease terms ranging from less than one year to seven years, with the weighted average lease term being three years.

Certain leases provide for increases in future lease payments once the term of the lease has expired, as defined in the lease agreements. These leases generally also include real estate taxes.

8.       DEBTInformation as lessee under ASC 842

We have a $1,000,000 line of credit with a variable interest rate computed on a 360-day year that expires on August 29, 2019. The variable interest rate is the higher of either 1) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, 2) Daily One Month LIBOR plus one and one-half percent (1.5%), or 3) the Federal Funds Rate plus one and one-half percent (1.5%). The line of credit agreement requires us to comply with various financial covenants as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, incur debt and liens, make significant investments, dispose of assets and make distributions without prior consent. The line of credit is secured by accounts receivable. The line of credit contains certain financial covenants, including a fixed charge coverage ratio and a tangible net worth. At December 31, 2018, we were in compliance withCompany reassessed all of leases to determine whether any expired or existing contracts were or contained a lease under ASC 842. Expired or existing contracts previously considered leases under ASC 840 no longer meet the financial covenantsdefinition of a lease under ASC 842 and therefore, have been excluded from future lease payments.

The Company still maintains these agreements, along with other short-term leases that are not capitalized, and the line of credit.

expenses are recognized in the period incurred.

As of December 31, 2018, we had no amount outstanding under the line of credit.

On November 29, 2018, the Company acquired substantially all2020, maturities of the assets of VirBELA.  As part of the purchase price, the Companyoperating lease liabilities by fiscal year were as follows:

Year Ending December 31,

2021

$ 371

2022

320

2023

165

2024

5

2025

5

2026 and thereafter

1

Total lease payments

867

Less: interest

(47)

Total operating lease liabilities

 

$ 820

52

Included below is issuing shares of the Company’s restricted common stock having a value of $1,000,000 on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the Closing Date.  The present value of future deliveries of eXp World Holdings, Inc. stock, was calculated using a discount rate of 10%.  The discount of $392,200 will be amortized over the reporting periods using the effective interest method during Fiscal years 2019, 2020 and 2021.  As of December 31, 2018, long-term payables, net of current portion and current portion of long-term payable was $1,654,337and $974,659, respectively.

9.       STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had 60,609,102 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

The following provides a detailed description of the stock-based transactions completed during fiscal years 2018 and 2017:

Duringother information regarding leases for the year ended December 31, 2018,2020.

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

Other information

Operating lease expense

$ 276

$ 249

Short-term lease expense

16

27

Cash paid for operating leases

274

249

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) – operating leases (1)

3.8

3

Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases

4.481%

4.850%

(1)The Company’s lease terms include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise its option. Additionally, the Company considered any historical and economic factors in determining if a lease renewal or termination option would be exercised.

Rent expense is recorded in general and administrative expense in the Company issued 97,371 sharesconsolidated statements of restricted common stock as consideration for the assets of VirBELA acquired havingcomprehensive income (loss).

11.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The following table represents a value of $1,000,000.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 2,594,050 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and received cash consideration totaling $2,015,034 upon paymentreconciliation of the exercise price for the options.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 1,684,601 shares of common stock in exchange for services totaling $21,253,677, which includes the expense activity in our 2015 Agent Equity Program.

44


During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 1,270,545 shares of common stock in exchange for services totaling $19,053,478, which included the expense activity for Real Estate Agent Growth and Other Incentive Programs. This amount includes expenses for performance based awards of $9,174,019, for which performance conditions were met or considered probable during the year ended December 31, 2018.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued the remaining 49,231 shares of common stock to accredited investors following receipt of $160,000 of gross proceeds ($142,158 net of issuance costs) from the Company’s December 2016 private placement. The Company received total gross cash proceeds from the private placement of $760,000.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued 181,572 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and received cash consideration totaling $46,596 upon payment of the exercise price for the options.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased and retired 1,307 shares of common stock for cash consideration totaling $3,607.the periods presented, adjusted to give effect to the Stock Split:

 

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Common stock:

Balance, beginning of year

132,398,616

121,218,204

109,925,070

Retirement of common stock

-

(3,636,546)

-

Shares issued for acquisition

-

-

194,742

Shares issued for stock options exercised

6,538,628

4,522,244

5,223,574

Agent growth incentive stock compensation

1,978,072

2,691,508

2,541,924

Agent equity stock compensation

5,762,470

7,603,206

3,332,894

Balance, end of year

146,677,786

132,398,616

121,218,204

DuringThe Company’s shareholder approved equity plans described below are administered under the year ended December 31, 2017,2013 Stock Option Plan and the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. Although a limited number of awards under the plan remain outstanding, no awards have been granted under the 2013 Stock Option Plan since 2015. The purpose of the equity plans is to retain the services of valued employees, directors, officers, agents, and consultants and to incentivize such persons to make contributions to the Company issued 1,464,997 shares of common stock in exchange for services totaling $5,857,554, which includes the expense activity in our 2015 Agent Equity Program.and motivate excellent performance.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued 1,000,594 shares of common stock in exchange for services totaling $10,961,631, which included the expense activity for Real Estate Agent Growth and Other Incentive Programs. This amount includes expenses for performance based awards of $7,177,854, for which performance conditions were met or considered probable during the year ended December 31, 2017.

2015 Agent Equity Program

The Company provides agents and brokers the opportunity to elect to receive 5% of commissions earned from each completed residential real estate transaction in the form of common stock.stock (the “Agent Equity Program” or “AEP”). If agents and brokers elect to receive portions of their commissions in common stock, they are entitled to receive the equivalent number of shares of common stock, based on the fixed monetary value of the commission payable. The shares are issued atPrior to January 1, 2020, the Company recognized a 20% discount to market on the date of issuance. We recognize this 20% discountthese issuances as an additional cost of sales charge during the periods presented.

All agents and brokers Effective in good standing withJanuary 2020, the Company are eligibleamended the AEP and adjusted the discount on issued shares from 20% to participate in the Agent Equity Program.  To be considered in good standing, agents and brokers must be current in their financial obligations, including all fees, to the Company.  In addition, all required licenses, local, state and national dues and subscriptions which are required to conduct real estate business in their state must be current and in effect.10%.

DuringFor the years ended December 31, 20182020, 2019, and 2017,2018, the Company issued 1,684,6015,762,470, 7,603,206, and 1,464,9973,332,894 shares respectively, of common stock, respectively, to agents and brokers for total consideration$60,968, $37,768, and $21,254, respectively, net of $21,253,677 and, $5,857,554 respectively for the settlement of commissions payable.discount.

Real Estate Agent Growth Incentive Program

The Company administers an equity incentive program whereby agents and brokers become eligible to receive awards of the Company’s common stock through agent attraction and performance benchmarks. Agents who qualify are awardedbenchmarks (the “Agent Growth Incentive Program” or “AGIP”). The incentive program encourages greater performance and awards agents with common stock based on achievement of performance milestones.

Under this program, Awards typically vest after performance benchmarks are reached and three years of subsequent service is provided to the CompanyCompany. Share-based performance awards common stock to our agents and brokers that become issuable uponare based on a fixed-dollar amount of shares based on the achievement of certain milestonesperformance metrics. As such, the awards are classified as liabilities until the number of share awards becomes fixed once the performance metric is achieved.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company’s stock compensation attributable to the AGIP was $15,239, $13,959, and $19,053, respectively. The total amount of stock compensation attributable to liability classified awards was $3,246 and $901 for both the individualyears ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and NaN during 2018. Stock compensation expense related to the AGIP is included in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

53

The following table illustrates changes in the Company’s stock compensation liability for the periods presented:

Amount

Balance, December 31, 2018

$

-

Stock grant liability increase year to date

901

Stock grants reclassified from liability to equity year to date

(624)

Balance, December 31, 2019

277

Stock grant liability increase year to date

3,246

Stock grants reclassified from liability to equity year to date

(1,430)

Balance, December 31, 2020

$ 2,093

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 6,550,390 unvested common stock awards, adjusted to give effect to the Stock Split and unrecognized compensation costs totaling $25,586 attributable to stock awards where the performance metric has been achieved and the recruited agents.

45


number of shares awarded are fixed. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.16 years.

The following table illustrates the Company’s stock activity for the Real Estate Agent Growth Incentive Program for stock awards where the performance metric has been achieved for the following periods:periods, adjusted to give effect to the Stock Split:

Weighted Average

Grant Date

    

Shares

    

Fair Value

Balance, December 31, 2018

7,745,754

$ 5.82

Granted

3,374,914

4.62

Vested and issued

(2,989,266)

5.61

Forfeited

(1,355,184)

1.70

Balance, December 31, 2019

6,776,218

$ 5.52

Granted

2,777,894

9.11

Vested and issued

(1,980,870)

6.42

Forfeited

(1,022,852)

5.66

Balance, December 31, 2020

6,550,390

$ 6.75

Stock Option Awards



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 



 

Shares

 

Fair Value

 

Balance, December 31, 2016

 

 

3,057,879 

 

 

4.05 

 

Granted

 

 

2,024,498 

 

 

7.60 

 

Issued

 

 

(1,457,538)

 

 

5.27 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(565,774)

 

 

4.76 

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

 

3,059,065 

 

 

7.60 

 

Granted

 

 

2,380,100 

 

 

11.59 

 

Issued

 

 

(889,769)

 

 

12.16 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(676,519)

 

 

4.05 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

 

3,872,877 

 

 

11.63 

 

Stock options are granted to directors, officers, certain employees, and consultants with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of common stock on the grant date, and the stock options expire 10 years from the date of grant. These options have time-based restrictions with equal and quarterly graded vesting over a three-year period.

The fair value of stock awards is based on the closing price of our common stock onoptions issued was calculated using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model with the applicable grant date.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company had 1,909,023 unvested stock awards and 3,872,877 expected to vest, respectively, with unrecognized compensation costs totaling $22,773,241.following assumptions:

Stock Option Awards

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company granted 870,000 stock options with an estimated grant date fair value of $8,538,739.  The assumptions used to estimate the grant date fair value of the awards issued for the year ended December 31, 2018 include: expected volatility based on historical stock prices ranging from 129.2% to 153.7%; an average expected term between 6.25 and 10 years; risk free rates based on U.S. Treasury instruments for the expected term of approximately 2.9%; and no dividend payments.  The assumptions used to estimate the grant date fair value of the awards issued for the year ended December 31, 2017 include: expected volatility based on historical stock prices ranging from 142% to 155%; an average expected term between 6.25 and 10 years; risk free rates based on U.S. Treasury instruments for the expected term of approximately 2.2%; and no dividend payments.

In January 2017, the Company modified certain terms of previously outstanding option awards to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock, including accelerating portions of the award to vest prior to the original terms and the forfeiture of unvested options to purchase 275,000 shares of common stock. As a result of this modification, the Company recognized approximately $368,000 of additional stock option expense during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Expected term

5 - 6 years

5 - 6.25 years

6.25 - 10 years

Expected volatility

69.01% - 116.16%

91.0% - 127.9%

129.2% - 153.7%

Risk-free interest rate

0.21% - 1.58%

1.5% - 2.7%

2.9%

Dividend yield

-%

-%

-%

4654


The following table illustrates the Company’s stock option activity for the following periods:periods, adjusted to give effect to the Stock Split:

Weighted

Average

Weighted

Remaining

Average

Contractual Term

    

Options

    

Exercise Price

    

Intrinsic Value

    

(Years)

Balance, December 31, 2018

17,395,226

$ 1.04

$ 5.00

6.07

Granted

1,553,492

4.72

0.64

9.52

Exercised

(4,522,244)

0.51

8.56

-

Forfeited

(875,762)

3.97

2.45

-

Balance, December 31, 2019

13,550,712

$ 1.45

$ 8.43

5.59

Granted

3,441,772

10.85

0.05

9.55

Exercised

(6,538,628)

1.06

17.91

-

Forfeited

(602,798)

4.30

19.29

-

Balance, December 31, 2020

9,851,058

$ 4.82

$ 53.49

5.95

Exercisable at December 31, 2020

5,495,394

$ 1.27

$ 60.57

3.41

Vested at December 31, 2020

5,495,394

$ 1.27

$ 60.57

5.87

Range of stock option exercise prices at December 31, 2020:

$0.01 - $5.00 (average remaining life - 3.71 years)

5,750,462

$ 1.02

$5.01 - $15.00 (average remaining life - 8.98 years)

3,545,116

$ 8.13

$15.01 - $30.00 (average remaining life - 9.78 years)

555,480

$ 22.93

The grant date fair value of options to purchase common stock is recorded as stock-based compensation over the vesting period. As of December 31, 2020, unrecognized compensation cost associated with the Company’s outstanding stock options was $25,736, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.23 years.

Stock Repurchase Plan

In December 2018, the Company’s board of directors (“the Board”) approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase up to $25.0 million of its common stock, which was later amended in November 2019 and again in June 2020 increasing the authorized repurchase amount to $75.0 million. In December 2020, the Board approved another amendment to the repurchase plan, increasing the total amount authorized to be purchased from $75.0 million to $400.0 million. Purchases under the repurchase program may be made in the open market or through a 10b5-1 plan and are expected to comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The timing and number of shares repurchased depends upon market conditions. The repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire a specific number of shares. The cost of the shares that are repurchased is funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.

In December 2019, the Board approved the retirement of the Company’s common stock related to repurchases made during 2019. On December 31, 2019, the Company retired 1,818,273 shares of common stock available in treasury valued at $18,433.

For accounting purposes, common stock repurchased under the stock repurchase programs is recorded based upon the settlement date of the applicable trade. Such repurchased shares are held in treasury and are presented using the cost method. These shares are considered issued but not outstanding. The following table shows the changes in treasury stock for the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Treasury stock:

Balance, beginning of year

925,364

-

-

Repurchases of common stock

1,609,130

2,743,637

-

Retirement of treasury stock

-

(1,818,273)

-

Balance, end of year

2,534,494

925,364

-

12.EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average



 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Remaining



 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Contractual Term



 

Options

 

Exercise Price

 

Intrinsic Value

 

(Years)

Balance, December 31, 2016

 

 

10,747,558 

 

$

0.67 

 

$

3.56 

 

 

7.75 

Granted

 

 

2,848,231 

 

 

3.76 

 

 

 -

 

 

6.15 

Exercised

 

 

(181,572)

 

 

0.26 

 

 

6.86 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(2,540,925)

 

 

2.31 

 

 

3.20 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

 

10,873,292 

 

$

1.50 

 

$

5.08 

 

 

6.65 

Granted

 

 

870,000 

 

 

10.86 

 

 

(3.78)

 

 

9.34 

Exercised

 

 

(2,594,050)

 

 

0.78 

 

 

11.90 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(451,629)

 

 

3.03 

 

 

9.59 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

 

8,697,613 

 

$

2.08 

 

$

5.00 

 

 

6.07 

Exercisable at December 31, 2018

 

 

6,620,042 

 

 

0.92 

 

 

6.16 

 

 

5.29 

Vested at December 31, 2018

 

 

6,823,772 

 

$

1.00 

 

$

6.08 

 

 

5.37 

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed based on net income (loss) attributable to eXp shareholders divided by the basic weighted-average shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive earnings per share is computed consistently with the basic computation while giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares and common share equivalents that were outstanding during the period. The Company uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of unvested stock awards and unexercised options. The

55

Company uses the if-converted method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of a $1.0 million payment obligation relating to the November 2018 acquisition of Virbela, LLC, that may be paid in cash or common stock in November 2021.

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common stock during the periods presented, adjusted to give effect to the Stock Split:

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Numerator:

Net income (loss) attributable to common stock

$ 31,131

($ 9,528)

($ 22,430)

Denominator:

Weighted average shares - basic

138,572,358

126,256,407

115,379,840

Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents

12,977,717

-

-

Weighted average shares - diluted

151,550,075

126,256,407

115,379,840

Earnings (loss) per share:

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stock- basic

$ 0.22

($ 0.08)

($ 0.19)

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stock- diluted

0.21

(0.08)

(0.19)

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, total outstanding shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive were 283,842, NaN, and 2017,NaN, respectively.

13.INCOME TAXES

The following table provides the Company recognized total stock-based compensationcomponents of $19,053,478income (loss) before provision for income taxes by domestic and $10,961,631, respectively, associated with all equity and equity-linked awards.foreign subsidiaries:

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Domestic

$ 31,356

($ 9,442)

($ 22,448)

Foreign

47

382

96

Total

$ 31,403

($ 9,060)

($ 22,352)

As of December 31, 2018, the total unrecognized compensation cost associated with options was approximately $11,972,694.

47


10.       INCOME TAXES

The components of the provision for (benefit from) income tax expense are as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

    

2020

2019

2018

Current:

Federal

$ -

$ -

$ -

State

275

320

77

Foreign

466

262

1

Total current income tax provision

741

582

78

Deferred

Federal

23

17

-

State

24

15

-

Foreign

(375)

(117)

-

Total deferred income tax benefit

(328)

(85)

-

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes

$ 413

$ 497

$ 78

56



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

State

 

 

77,494 

 

 

86,787 

 

Foreign

 

 

306 

 

 

10,447 

 



 

 

77,800 

 

 

97,234 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

State

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 



 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

$

77,800 

 

$

97,234 

 

The Company is subject to United States federal and state income taxes at an approximate rate of 25.02%. The reconciliation of the provision for income taxes at the United States federal statutory rate compared to the Company’s income tax expense as reported is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

    

2020

2019

2018

Statutory tax rate

21.00%

21.00%

21.00%

State taxes

6.52%

0.35%

4.02%

Permanent differences

(0.09)%

(2.54)%

(0.57)%

Unrecognized tax benefit

(0.19)%

(0.67)%

-%

Share-based compensation

(42.09)%

11.51%

(10.46)%

Sec. 162m compensation limitation

4.03%

(1.31)%

-%

Foreign tax rate differential

0.01%

(1.68)%

(0.10)%

Valuation allowance

8.99%

(140.59)%

(15.43)%

Prior year true up items

3.07%

109.08%

-%

Other net

0.08%

(0.65)%

1.19%

Total

1.33%

(5.50)%

(0.35)%



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

 

Statutory tax rate

 

 

21.00 

%

 

38.25 

%

State taxes

 

 

4.02 

%

 

(0.39)

%

Permanent differences

 

 

(0.57)

%

 

(0.31)

%

Non-deductible share-based compensation

 

 

(10.46)

%

 

(19.70)

%

Foreign tax rate differential

 

 

(0.10)

%

 

(0.05)

%

Change in tax rate

 

 

 -

%

 

(6.33)

%

Valuation allowance

 

 

(15.43)

%

 

(11.90)

%

Other net

 

 

1.19 

%

 

(0.01)

%

Total

 

 

(0.35)

%

 

(0.44)

%

48


Deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following at:for the periods presented:

    

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2019

Deferred tax assets:

Net operating loss carryforward

$ 17,628

$ 12,789

Accruals and reserves

883

436

Lease liability

219

311

Share-based compensation

5,575

6,456

Total gross deferred tax assets

24,305

19,992

Deferred tax liabilities:

Property and equipment

(1,139)

(145)

Intangibles/Goodwill

(383)

(180)

Right of use lease asset

(214)

(311)

Valuation allowance

(22,116)

(19,271)

Net deferred tax assets

$ 453

$ 85



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforward

 

$

6,186,379 

 

$

2,445,965 

 

Temporary differences

 

 

598,732 

 

 

241,649 

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

228,989 

 

 

430,614 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

 

$

7,014,100 

 

$

3,118,228 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

 

 

(439,388)

 

 

(17,835)

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(6,574,712)

 

 

(3,100,394)

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

AtThe Company accounts for deferred taxes under ASC Topic 740 – Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires a reduction of the carrying amount of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically based on the ASC 740 more-likely-than-not realization threshold criterion. This assessment considers matters such as future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. The evaluation of the recoverability of the deferred tax assets requires that the Company weigh all positive and negative evidence to reach a conclusion that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The weight given to the evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. As of December 31, 2018,2020, based on its assessment of the realizability of its net deferred tax assets, the Company hadcontinued to maintain a full valuation allowance against all of its federal and state net operating losses of approximately $24.7 million which could be subject to certain limitations under section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

deferred tax assets. The Company has provided a valuation allowance atas of December 31, 20182020 and 20172019 of $6,574,712$22,116 and $3,100,394,$19,271, respectively, for its net deferred tax assets as it cannot conclude it is more likely than not all of the estimated net deferred tax assets will be realized. The valuation allowance increased by $3,474,318$2,845 and increased by $2,357,426$12,696 in 20182020 and 2017,2019, respectively.

We intend to maintain a full valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support reversal of all or some portion of the allowance. Due to improvements in the Company’s operating results over the past year and anticipated growth in future periods, management believes that there is a reasonable possibility that, within the next 12 months, sufficient positive evidence may become available to allow us to reach a conclusion that a significant portion of the valuation allowance will no longer be needed. Release of the valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain DTAs and a decrease to income tax expense for the period the release is recorded. However, the exact timing and amount of the valuation allowance release are subject to change on the basis of the level of profitability that we are able to actually achieve.

As of December 31, 2018, and 2017,2020, the Company did not have anyhad federal, state, and foreign net operating losses of approximately $70.2 million, $33.1 million, and $2.2 million, respectively. Out of the federal net operating loss, approximately $8.7 million will carry forward 20 years and can offset 100% of future taxable income; and $61.5 million carries forward indefinitely and can offset 80% of taxable income. As of December 31, 2019, the Company conducted an IRC Section 382 analysis with respect to its net operating loss carryforward and determined there was an immaterial limitation.

57

Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and accordingly, no provision for applicable income taxes has been provided thereon. Upon distribution of those earnings, the Company would be subject to withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries were immaterial.

The Company maintains liabilities for uncertain tax positions. These liabilities involve considerable judgment and estimation and are continuously monitored by management based on the best information available, including changes in tax regulations, the outcome of relevant court cases, and other information. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized benefits is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

2020

2019

2018

Unrecognized tax benefits - beginning of year

$ 54

$ -

$ -

Gross increase for tax positions of prior years

-

54

-

Gross decrease for federal tax rate change for tax positions of prior years

-

-

-

Gross increase for tax positions of current year

-

-

-

Settlements

(54)

-

-

Lapse of statute of limitations

-

-

-

Unrecognized tax benefits - end of year

$ -

$ 54

$ -

The unrecognized tax benefits.benefits relate primarily to state taxes. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, inclusive of interest, that would affect the Company effective tax rate, if recognized, was NaN and $61, respectively. The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the amount of NaN and $7, respectively. The Company currently has no federal or state tax examinations in progress nor has it had any federal or state tax examinations since its inception.

Our ability to utilize Because the domesticCompany has net operating losses (NOLs)loss carryforwards, there are open statues of limitations in which federal, state and foreign taxing authorities may examine the Company's tax credit forwards may be limited due to ownership change limitations that may have occurred or that could occur in the future, as required by the Internal Revenue Code Section 382, as well as similar state provisions. An “ownership change,” as defined by the code, resultsreturns for all years from a transaction or series of transactions over a three-year period resulting in an ownership change of more than 50 percentage points of the outstanding stock of a company by certain stockholders or public groups. Any limitation may result in expiration of all or a portion of the NOL or tax credit carryforwards before utilization.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”), which became law on December 22, 2017, reduced the U.S. Federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning in 2018. The Company remeasured its net deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the 2017 Tax Act along with the corresponding valuation allowance resulting in no net expense or benefit. The Company applied the reduced federal tax rate in its tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2018.

49


11.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating leases

At December 31, 2018,2011 through the Company was obligated under non-cancelable operating leases for office space.current period.

The following table illustrates the Company’s future obligations related to its non-cancellable operating leases:



 

 

 

Year Ending December 31,

 

 

 

2019 

 

$

451,710 
2020 

 

 

420,518 
2021 

 

 

237,142 
2022 

 

 

42,532 

2023 and thereafter

 

 

4,134 

Total

 

$

1,156,036 

Legal proceedings

14.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, we arethe Company is subject to potential liability under laws and government regulations and various claims and legal actions that may be asserted against us that could have a material adverse effect on ourthe business, reputation, results of operations or financial condition. Such litigation may include, but is not limited to, actions or claims relating to sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and intellectual property and that of our clients and personally identifiable information of our employees and contractors, cyber-attacks, data breaches and non-compliance with our contractual or other legal obligations.

There are no matters pending or, to ourthe Company’s knowledge, threatened that we expectare expected to have a material adverse impact on ourthe business, reputation, results of operations, or financial condition.

There are no proceedings in which any of ourthe Company’s directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial stockholder is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to ourthe Company’s interest.

15.SEGMENT INFORMATION

Historically, management has not made operating decisions and assessed performance based on geographic locations. Rather, the chief operating decision maker makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on the products and services of the identified operating segments. While management does consider real estate and brokerage services, the acquired technology and affiliated services provided to be identified operating segments, the profits and losses and assets of the acquired technology and affiliated series are not material.

Operating Segments

The Company primarily operates as a cloud-based real estate brokerage. The real estate brokerage business represented 99.6% and 99.9% of the total revenue of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The real estate brokerage business represents 98.9% and 95.8% of the total assets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

12.       SEGMENT INFORMATIONThe Company offers software subscriptions to customers to access its virtual reality software platform. Additionally, the Company offers professional services for implementation and consulting services. However, the operations and assets of the technology segment are not managed by the Company’s chief operating decision-maker as a separate reportable segment.

Services provided through First Cloud and eXp Silverline are in the emerging stages of development as contributing segments and are not material to the Company’s total revenue, total net income (loss) or total assets as of December 31, 2020.

58

In 2020, the Company completed the Showcase and the Success acquisition. These are considered technology and affiliated services to the business, respectively, and are not material to the Company’s total revenue, total net income (loss), or total assets for the year ended and as of December 31, 2020.

The Company aggregates the identified operating segments for reporting purposes and has 1 reportable segment.

Geographical Information

The Company primarily operates within the real estate brokerage markets in the United States and Canada. In November 2018,During the previous two years, the Company acquired substantially all ofexpanded operations into the assets of VirBELA, LLC which operates in software subscriptionU.K., Australia, South Africa, France, India, Portugal, and professional services for use of our virtual reality software platform.  The Company’s management generally does not rely on historical geographical results in making operational decisions and has not used financial information derived from subscription and professional services due to the insignificance of the operating activities of VirBLEA, LLC.  While management may consider the newly acquired technology to be a reportable segment from our real estate brokerage activities in the future, as of December 31, 2018, there is not information currently being used by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and make operational decisions.  The Company has likewise concluded that only one reporting unit exists for the purposes of its annual goodwill impairment analysis.

Mexico.

The Company’s management analyzes geographical locations on a forward-looking basis to identify growth opportunities. For the yearyears ended December 31, 2018,2020 and 2019, approximately 1%5% and 2%, respectively, of the Company’s total net revenue of $500,147,681 was generated in Canada. The Company did not possess material assets located outside of the United StatesU.S. Assets held outside of the U.S. were 7% and 2% as of December 31, 20182020 and 2017.2019.

50


13.       RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As of December 31, 2018,The Company’s technology services and affiliated services are currently provided primarily in the Company did not have transactions with related and certain other parties.U.S.

In January 2017, and as part of her agreement to join the Company’s Board of Directors, Ms. Laurie Hawkes was granted an option to purchase a total of 350,000 shares of common stock from a significant stockholder at an exercise price of $4.22 per share. The Company estimated the grant date fair value of these options using a Black-Scholes model with the assumptions described in Note 9. The aggregate grant date fair value of this award was $1,333,501. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized compensation cost totaling $254,522 associated with this award. The transaction was accounted for as a deemed contribution from the significant stockholder. 

16.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On August 7, 2017, Ms. Hawkes submitted to the Company her resignation asNovember 4, 2020, Sanford Enterprises, a memberwholly-owned entity of Mr. Glenn Sanford, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors effective August 9, 2017. The optionsthe Company, purchased all of the membership equity interests in Success from Success Partners Holding Co, an unaffiliated third party, for cash consideration of $8.0 million. In order to purchase common stockfacilitate the Success Acquisition, the Company purchased all equity interests of Success from a significant stockholder were forfeited subsequentSanford Enterprises for equal cash consideration of $8.0 million on December 4, 2020. Prior to her resignation.the acquisition, the Company was the largest customer of Success.

14.       DEFINED CONTRIBUTION SAVINGS PLAN

17.DEFINED CONTRIBUTION SAVINGS PLAN

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company established a defined contribution savings plan to provide eligible employees with a retirement benefit that permits eligible employees the opportunity to actively participate in the process of building a personal retirement fund. The Company sponsors the defined contribution savings plan.

15.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On December 27, 2018,In 2019, the Company introduced its Sustainable Equity Planbegan matching a portion of contributions made by participating employees. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company's costs for real estate agentscontributions to this plan were $1,189 and brokers at eXp realty.  In addition,$654, respectively. The Company did 0t make any plan contributions during the year ended December 31, 2018.

18.
18.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 2, 2021, the Company announced that its Boardrepaid all outstanding promissory notes issued to the previous owners of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to offset equity issuances for up to $25 million of company common stock which began subsequent to year end

In 2013, eXp Realty became a public company for the primary purpose of sharing equity with its agents.  Shortly thereafter, the Company introduced the industry’s first Agent Equity Award program for agentsShowcase and brokers who reach certain milestones.  At the time, eXp Realty had approximately 400 agents and the plan defined equity incentives up to 16,000 agents.  As we are quickly approaching 16,000 agents, the new Sustainable Equity Plan will pay agents a dollar value of shares rather than a stair-stepped number of shares for achieving certain goals.

The repurchase program will help offset equity issuances that the Company awards to its agents for meeting certain milestones in the Sustainable Equity Plan.  Purchases under the repurchase program will company with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,notes payable assumed as amended.  The timing and number of shares repurchased will depend upon market conditions.  The repurchase program does not require the company to acquire a specific number of shares.  As the Company continues to grow its cash balance, the costpart of the shares repurchased will be funded from available working capital.  Any shares repurchased underShowcase Acquisition. The repayments totaling approximately $1.7 million represented the program will be returnedprincipal balance plus accrued interest and unpaid fees. The repayments of the notes payable did not result in a gain or loss on early extinguishment.

59

19.SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

Provided below is selected unaudited quarterly financial data for 2020 and 2019, including earnings per share, adjusted to give effect to the status of authorized but unissued shares of common stock.Stock Split.

2020

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Revenue

$ 271,421

$ 353,525

$ 564,017

$ 609,322

Commissions and other agent-related costs

243,406

319,164

517,169

558,935

Net income

141

8,235

14,918

7,696

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic

$ 0.00

$ 0.06

$ 0.10

$ 0.05

Diluted

$ 0.00

$ 0.06

$ 0.10

$ 0.05

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

133,241,235

137,267,291

140,754,887

143,026,018

Diluted

144,647,818

147,078,181

153,548,236

156,543,876

2019

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Revenue

$ 157,034

$ 266,705

$ 282,179

$ 274,019

Commissions and other agent-related costs

142,542

244,587

259,141

249,612

Net (loss) income

(6,296)

(2,195)

(1,847)

781

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic

($ 0.05)

($ 0.02)

($ 0.01)

$ 0.01

Diluted

($ 0.05)

($ 0.02)

($ 0.01)

$ 0.01

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

121,686,468

123,607,064

127,667,358

131,907,796

Diluted

121,686,468

123,607,064

127,667,358

131,907,796

5160


Item 9. CHANGES IN AND

DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Item 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Item 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

OurThe Company’s management, with the participation of our chief executive officerChief Executive Officer and chief financial officer,Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of ourthe Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2018 pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)., as of December 31, 2020. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act,procedures” means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’sCompany’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on the evaluation, ofthe Company’s management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2018, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as a result of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and discussed below, our disclosure controls and procedures were notare effective as of December 31, 2018.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making its evaluation, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013).  Our assessment of, and conclusion on, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls and procedures of our subsidiary, eXp World Technologies, LLC, which was newly formed on November 29, 2018 when we acquired substantially all of the assets of VirBELA, LLC. This acquisition did not result in any material change to our internal control over financial reporting.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2018 due to the material weakness described below. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is included below.

Material Weakness:

Control Environment and Monitoring

The Company did not properly design or maintain effective controls over the control environment and monitoring components which contributed to material weaknesses at the control activity level. As it relates to the control environment, the Company did not have sufficient oversight and competencies to address the Company’s overall financial reporting and information technology requirements. As it relates to monitoring, the Company did not perform timely and ongoing evaluations to ascertain whether the components of internal control are present and functioning. The failures within these COSO components contributed to the following material weaknesses at the control activity level:  

Control Activities

The Company did not have effective business processes and controls as well as resources with adequate training and support to conduct an effective review of manual reconciliations including the complex data feeds into the reconciliations of high-volume transactions.  This resulted in several errors mainly to revenue, accounts receivable, and commission expense during the period covered by this report and could have resulted in errors in other financial statement line items

52


Remediation Actions on Material Weakness:

To address the above material weaknesses described above, our management is currently in the process of undertaking a re-design of the control workflows within our software and systems for processing high-volume transactions.  This will include further validations between the systems to ensure accuracy and completeness of the transactions.  Additionally, we will provide additional training of the appropriate personnel involved with these business processes and the related control activities.

Material Weaknesses Previously Identified

We previously reported material weaknesses in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters during the subsequent period through September 30, 2018.  The material weaknesses previously reported are summarized below:

·

Our internal controls failed to properly recognize and measure the fair value of equity and equity-linked awards issued to employees and non-employees.  Our policies procedures failed to identify the need to consider certain areas of US GAAP applicable to stock awards issued to employees and non-employees.

·

Our internal controls failed to identify the need to consider certain areas of US GAAP applicable to the classification of certain agent fees.  Our agent fees are no longer classified as revenue, rather they are offset against commission and other agent related costs.

·

Our internal controls failed to identify the mathematical error contained in the foreign currency translation calculation in the statement of cash flows of our foreign subsidiary that are incorporated in the consolidated financial statements. 

Remediation Actions on Previously Identified Material Weaknesses:

To address the above material weaknesses related to equity awards and revenue classification, management completed additional training associated with accounting for equity-based payments to employees and non-employees, inclusive both internally as well as with an outside financial reporting firm with advanced experience in reporting for equity-based instruments and implemented additional review controls of the accounting for equity awards.  We are also currently implementing a cloud-based platform to maintain all equity-based awards to ensure consistency in the identification and classification of share-based payments of current as well as future share-based payment arrangements. We also completed an analysis of the historical option grants to ensure that they have been correctly recorded. We also reviewed our revenue recognition policies and trained staff to ensure compliance with US GAAP. Management has tested these new controls and found them to be effective and has concluded that these material weaknesses have been remediated.

To address the above material weakness related to the foreign currency translation calculation, we have engaged a third party to assist with rebuilding our financial reporting cash flow templates used to calculate and disclose the effect of foreign translation in our statement of cash flows.  To prevent errors in our manual financial reporting process, we have also incorporated additional management review controls to ensure our financial reporting is accurate.

Management has tested the effectiveness of the new controls and found the controls to be effective and has concluded that the material weakness has been remediated.

.    

53


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Shareholders and Board of Directors

eXp World Holdings, Inc.

Bellingham, Washington

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited eXp World Holdings, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.

We do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on management’s statements referring to any corrective actions taken by the Company after the date of management’s assessment.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”) and our report dated March 18, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

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

As indicated in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of the subsidiary eXp World Technologies, LLC, which was newly formed to acquire substantially all of the assets of VirBELA, LLC on November 29, 2018, and which is included in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. eXp World Technologies, LLC constituted 20.12% and (1.00%) of total assets and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2018, and 0.02% and 1.34% of revenues and net loss, respectively, for the year then ended. Management did not assess the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of eXp World Technologies, LLC because of the timing of the acquisition which was completed on November 29, 2018. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of eXp World Technologies, LLC.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and described in management’s assessment: failure to design and maintain controls over the control environment, monitoring controls, and certain control activities which resulted in several errors mainly to revenue, accounts receivable, and commission expense and could have resulted in errors in other financial statement line items. The material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2018 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 18, 2019 on those consolidated financial statements.

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Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed2020 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Salt Lake City, Utah

March 18, 2019

55


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Other than the efforts noted above to remediate the previously reported material weaknesses, thereThere have not been noany changes in ourthe Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a- 15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-Kfourth quarter of 2020 that hashave materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting, except as follows.

Material Weakness Remediation

As previously reported, management identified that the Company had a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, related to its general information technology controls (“GITC”) in certain areas related to user access and program change-management over information technology (“IT”) systems utilized by the Company. Since some of our business process controls (automated and manual) were dependent on the affected GITCs, they too were deemed ineffective because they could have been adversely impacted. We believe that these control deficiencies were a result of: IT control processes lacking sufficient documentation; insufficient testing of changes; lack of training for our personnel on the importance of GITCs; and a lack of access control considerations in the design of the systems that could impact internal control over financial reporting. The Company also identified that it did not fully implement key components of the COSO framework, including control and monitoring activities relating to: (i) providing oversight over the system of internal control, (ii) overseeing the nature and scope of monitoring activities and management's evaluation and remediation of deficiencies, (iii) using appropriate processes and technology to assign responsibility and segregate duties as necessary, (iv) maintaining quality through processing, and (v) attracting, developing, and retaining sufficient and competent personnel to support the achievement of internal control objectives. Management determined that the deficiencies, evaluated in the aggregate, could have potentially resulted in a material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements in a future annual or interim period that would not be prevented or detected. Therefore, the deficiencies constituted material weaknesses in internal control.

In response to these deficiencies, management implemented measures designed to ensure that control deficiencies contributing to the material weaknesses are remediated, such that these controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively. The remediation actions included: (i) establishing an internal audit team to support the Company’s entire control environment and its ongoing internal controls development and monitoring; (ii) creating and filling an IT compliance oversight function; (iii) educating control owners concerning the principles and requirements of each control, with a focus on those related to user access and change-management over IT systems impacting financial reporting; (iv) developing and maintaining documentation underlying GITCs to promote knowledge transfer upon personnel and function changes; (v) developing enhanced controls and reviews related to changes in IT systems; and (vi) performing an in-depth analysis of who should have access to perform key functions within the system that impact financial reporting and redesigning aspects of the system to better allow the access rights to be implemented. As a result of these efforts, the Company determined that the material weaknesses were remediated, and our internal control over financial reporting.reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Internal Controls

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial

61

Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making its evaluation, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020. Our independent auditor, Deloitte and Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which is included below.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including the Principal Executive Officer, the Principal Financial Officer, and the Principal Accounting Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controlscontrol over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. BecauseThe design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part uponon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with associated policies or procedures. Because of

62

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

The following individuals serve as directors and executive officers of our company. All directors of our company hold office until the next annual meeting of our stockholders or until their successors have been elected and qualified. The executive officers of our company are appointed by our board of directors and hold office until their resignation or removal from office.

Name

Position

Age

Date First Elected
or Appointed

Glenn Sanford

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director

52

March 12, 2014

Jason Gesing

Executive Vice President, Business Development and Director

45

September 27, 2014

Jeff Whiteside

Chief Financial Officer

55

November 1, 2018

Alan Goldman

Chief Accounting Officer

40

March 16, 2016

Eugene Frederick

Director

63

April 7, 2016

Richard Miller

Director

60

July 20, 2016

Randall Miles

Director

62

July 20, 2016

Darren Jacklin

Director

46

May 22, 2014

Susan Truax

Director

53

August 9, 2017

Dan Cahir

Director

36

November 29, 2018

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Business Experience

The following is a brief description of the business experience and education of each director and executive officer during at least the past five years, indicating the person’s principal occupation during that period,Stockholders and the name and principal businessBoard of the organization in which such occupation and employment were carried out.

Glenn Sandford has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Director since March 12, 2014.  Since 2002, Mr. Sanford has been actively involved in the online real estate space.  In early 2007, Mr. Sanford launched eXp Realty, LLC and grew the Company to three offices and into two states.  After the decline in the real estate market in 2008, Mr. Sanford and his executive team rewrote the entire business model to reduce costs and provide consumers with more information and access than ever before.  In October 2009, eXp Realty International, Inc. was launched as the first truly cloud-based national real estate brokerage which meant giving up the traditional brink and mortar environment and moving to a fully-immersive 3D virtual office environment where agents, brokers and staff collaborate across borders while learning and transacting business form anywhere in the world.   Since that timeDirectors of eXp World Holdings, Inc. has quickly grown throughout the United States and Canada.

Prior to joining the Company Mr. Sanford ran a large mega-agent team and consulted to Keller Williams International as a member of the Agent Technology Council in the areas of online client acquisition, client conversion and technology.  Mr. Sanford was also a significant contributor to Keller Williams Internet Lead Generation Masterminds.  Prior to real estate, Mr. Sanford was active at the executive level with a number of technology-related companies. In 1998, Mr. Sanford founded and served as President for eShippers.com, an online e-commerce and logistics company.Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We believe Mr. Sanford is qualified to serve on our boardhave audited the internal control over financial reporting of directors because of his business and management experience.

Jason Gesing joined the Company in March 2010 and was appointed Chief Business Development Officer in September 2012, a position he held until June 2014. From June 2014 through September 2016, Mr. Gesing served as the Corporation’s President.  And from September 2016 through August 2018, Mr. Gesing served as Chief Executive Officer of our Real Estate Brokerage Division. Mr. Gesing currently serves as Executive Vice President, Business Development.  With over a decade of experience in real estate in various capacities, Mr. Gesing holds broker's license in Massachusetts.

Mr. Gesing has been practicing law at Gesing Law Offices, LLP since 2009, and was an attorney with Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP in Boston, MA from 2002 to 2010. In his capacity as a lawyer, he obtained a broad base of experience in corporate, municipal, real estate, compliance, health care, construction, litigation, and administrative law, and advising clients on day to day issues and managing crises. He has acted in a variety of roles and undertaken a variety of matters including: corporate counsel; municipal counsel; hospital counsel; leasing, licensing and contract negotiation; governance and compliance; appearances before administrative hearing officers and state judges; defense of management in unfair labor practice charges; collective bargaining; internal investigations; and, owner representative in construction matters.

Mr. Gesing obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude) in 1996 from Syracuse University, and a Juris Doctor in 2002 from Boston College Law School. He is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

We believe Mr. Gesing is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his business and legal experience.

Jeff Whiteside joined the Company as its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Collaboration Officer on November 1, 2018.  Mr. Whiteside has more than 30 years of experience in global finance and operational leadership including executive positions at General Electric, Pitney Bowes, and RM Sotheby’s Auctions. Additionally, Mr. Whiteside held the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at three software and technology companies. Mr. Whiteside has extensive international experience from living and working in Asia, Australia, Europe, and Canada.

Recently, Mr. Whiteside founded and served as the Auction Director at Saratoga Auto Museum from November 2016 through October 2018, Chief Operating Officer of Saratoga Juice Bar, LLC from January 2015 through November 2016, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at RM Sotheby’s Auctions in 2014 and 2015, and Vice President and Group Financial Officer at Pitney Bowes from 2008 through 2013.

Mr. Whiteside works closely with eXp World Holdings, Inc. CEO, Glenn Sanford and leads finance, business development, new ventures, international markets and investor relations.

Mr. Whiteside is a graduatesubsidiaries (the “Company”) as of Rensselaer Polytechnic, obtaining both his B.S. (with an emphasisDecember 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Managerial Economics) and M.B.A. in 1986.

57


Alan Goldman joinedInternal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as its Chief Financial Officerof December 31, 2020, based on March 16, 2016, a position held until November 2018.  Mr. Goldman currently serves as Chief Accounting Officer.  Prior to his employmentcriteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Mr. Goldman servedAccounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as a partner at Ingenium Accounting Associates, a PCAOB registered firm, from February 2013 to March 2016. While at Ingenium, he was responsibleof and for both attest and non-attest engagements primarily with public issuers, many of whom are in the real estate industry. Prior to Ingenium, Mr. Goldman worked as an auditor for Excelsis Accounting (formerly known as Mark Bailey and Company) from May 2011 to February 2013. Prior to joining Excelsis, Mr. Goldman served as the Controller for Pacific West Companies, a vertically integrated multi-family developer.  During his tenure of four years with Pacific West, the group was recognized as a top condominium developer. Mr. Goldman earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance, from the University of Georgia. He is also licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Nevada.

Eugene Frederick has served as a directoryear ended December 31, 2020, of the Company since April 2016 and joinedour report dated March 11, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the Company as an agent in April 2015. Foreffectiveness of internal control over a decade prior to joining the Company, Mr. Frederick served in various management capacities at Keller Williams Realty. Mr. Frederick spent much of this time recruiting other top-producing real estate agentsfinancial reporting, included in the states of Virginia and Texas. Prioraccompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to joining the Keller Williams management team in the mid-nineties, Mr. Frederick was one of the top-producing real estate agents in the State of Texas beginning in the late eighties.  Earlier in his career, in the mid-eighties, Mr. Frederick served as Controller for Texas Instruments before leaving the corporate world for real estate.

The Board believes that Mr. Frederick is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive experience in residential real estate and his leadership ability, particularly in managing growth.

Richard Miller has served asexpress an independent director of the Company since July 2016. For over 25 years, Mr. Miller has held senior leadership positions in companies ranging in size from a Fortune 10 company to a startup. His extensive experience as a turnaround specialist and an expert in sustainable growth has been applied as an executive inside organizations and as a consultant advising from outside companies. Mr. Miller began his career as a sales trainee at Sperry/Unisys and left 15 years later as Divisional VP/GM of North America. Mr. Miller was recruited by AT&T where he served as President of the $13 billion Global Services unit. He later served as President, COO, and as a Board member at internet startup OPUS360 where he led the company’s successful IPO. Mr. Miller was later recruited by Lucent Technologies to lead their $21 billion world-wide sales efforts. Later, he was named President, Lucent Government Solutions. Mr. Miller also served as CEO at the Balance & Stretch Center, a non-profit focused on supporting children with diabetes.

Mr. Miller is currently CEO at Being Chief LLC, where he serves as an advisor to a broad range of executives, across a diverse number of industries. He is also an author and public speaker. Mr. Miller’s success and unconventional approach has been highlighted in Harvard Business Review, Selling Power, USA Today, Yahoo, and MSN Business. Most recently, Mr. Miller was named to serve on the Executive Committee for the Strategic Innovation Lab at Case University’s Weatherhead School of Management, focusing on sustainable growth.

Mr. Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from Bentley University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia University.

The Board believes that Mr. Miller is well qualified to serveopinion on the Company’s board of directors because of his extensive management experience, particularly in managing sustainable growth.

Randall Miles has served as aninternal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent director ofwith respect to the Company since July 2016 and was appointed Vice-Chairman on January 20, 2018. For over 25 years Mr. Miles has held senior leadership positions in global financial services, financial technology and investment banking companies.  His extensive investment banking background at bulge bracket, regional and boutique firms advising financial services companies on strategic and financial needs has crossed many disciplines.  Mr. Miles transactional and advisory experience is complemented by leadership of public and private equity backed financial technology, specialty finance and software companies that have included Chairman and CEO at LIONMTS where he was nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, CEO at Syngence Corporation, COO of AtlasBanc Holdings Corp. and CEO of Advantage Funding / NAFCO Holdings which grew to in excess of $1 billion. 

Mr. Miles was Managing Partner at SCM Capital Group, a global strategic and financial advisory firm, where he served beginning in 2000 through January 2013. Subsequently, he served as a Managing Director at Riparian Partners, a division of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Since June 2014, Mr. Miles has served as Senior Managing Director, Head of FIG and COO, Investment Banking at Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Mr. Miles has held senior leadership roles at Oppenheimer& Co., D.A. Davidson and & Co., The First Boston Corporation (Credit Suisse) Meridian Capital and Greenwich Capital Markets. Mr. Miles has broad public, private and nonprofit board experience and has been active for many years in leadership rolesaccordance with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He presently serves onU.S. federal securities laws and the boardsapplicable rules and regulations of Kuity, Corp. and Posiba, Inc. as Vice Chairman and Chairman respectively.

58


Mr. Miles holds a BBA from the University of Washington and holds FINRA licenses Series 7, 24, 63 and 79.

The Board believes that Mr. Miles is well qualified to serve on the Company’s board of directors because of his extensive background in investment banking and financial services.

Darren Jacklin has served as an independent director of the Company since May 22, 2014. For over 24 years, Darren Jacklin has traveled four continents and over 48 countries mentoring entrepreneurs and business owners on specific and measurable strategies that they can consistently use to increase their income, transform their obstacles into cash flow and turn their passion into profits.

His uncanny ability to increase wealth and success by uncovering hidden assets, overlooked opportunities and undervalued possibilities has captured the attention of Tiger 21, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, NBC TV, CBS TV, Global TV international radio stations, magazines and newspapers, movie producers, best-selling authors, CEO’s and business experts worldwide.

Darren Jacklin currently sits on paid international boards of directors of public companies and advisory boards. Darren has personally trained over 150 Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, AT&T, Black & Decker, Barclays Bank, as well as high school, college, university students and professional athletes and has connected with people in more than 126 countries.

We believe Mr. Jacklin is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his business experience and venture capital background.

Susan (Suzy) Truax brings to the Board 15 years of experience in the real estate industry. Since March 2017, she has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of The Smart Move Realty Group, a brokerage powered by eXp Realty. From April 2016 to March 2017, Ms. Truax served as Chief Executive Officer of Keller Williams Realty in San Carlos, California, and from November 2015 to May 2016, she served as Productivity Coach and a real estate professional with Keller Williams Realty in San Francisco, California. From September 2014 to November 2015, Ms. Truax served as a real estate professional with Alain Pinel Realtors in the San Francisco Bay Area. From May 2013 to September 2014, she served as a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway and Fox & Roach Realtors in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and Cape May County, New Jersey. Previously, from February 2011 to December 2012, she served as Vice President and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty Corp. Associates. Ms. Truax is a licensed Realtor in the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Philadelphia, South New Jersey and Florida.

The Board believes that Ms. Truax is well qualified to serve on our Board because of her experience as both a realtor and having management roles in various brokerages across the United States, in addition to her role on eXp’s Agent Advisory Council.

Dan Cahir was appointed as an independent director of the Company on November 29, 2018.  Mr. Cahir has more than 10 years of experience managing public and private equity investments across a variety of industries. Currently, Mr. Cahir serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Amherst Ave Capital, positions he has held since June 2018.  

From June 2013 to June 2018, Mr. Cahir served as a portfolio manager at Long Light Capital, managing a public equity portfolio and evaluating venture capital and private equity investments and allocations to external fund managers.  From September 2011 to April 2013, Mr. Cahir was a member of the investment team at Ziff Brothers Investments, a private investment firm. From August 2007 to September 2009, Mr. Cahir was a member of the investment team at Madrone Capital Partners where he led the analysis on venture capital, private equity and public equity investments.

Mr. Cahir began his career in September 2005 with Bain & Co., where he advised Fortune 500 and private equity clients on M&A, growth and efficiency initiatives until June 2007.

Mr. Cahir completed his studies and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics in 2005, graduating with the summa cum laude distinction from Claremont McKenna College and completed his studies and earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 2011.

The Board believes that Mr. Cahir is qualified to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive experience in managing equity portfolios and well as advising Fortune 500 clients on M&A, growth and cost-cutting strategies. 

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships between our directors or executive officers.

59


Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

None of our directors or executive officers has been involved in any of the following events during the past ten years:

(a)       any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;

(b)       any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences);

(c)       being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities;

(d)       being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment hasPCAOB.

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

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not been reversed, suspended,prevent or vacated;

(e)       being the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of: (i) any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation; or (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease- and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

(f)       being the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated,detect misstatements. Also, projections of any self-regulatory organization (as definedevaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in Section 3(a)(26)conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act),policies or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated withprocedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California

March 11, 2021

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Item 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

64

PART III

Item 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We have adopted a member.

written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

On September 20, 2018, the Company adopted that applies to all directors, officers and employees, including a separate code of business conduct and ethics which is available onthat applies to only our website at www.expworldholdings.com.

Security Holder Nominating Procedures

We do not have any formal procedures by which our stockholders may recommend nominees to our board of directors.

Committees of the Board of Directors

As of the date of this report, our directors served on the committees of the Board indicated in the following table:

Director

Independent

Compensation Committee

Audit Committee

Governance Committee

Glenn Sanford

Chair

X

Richard Miller

X

X

X

Chair

Randall Miles

X

X

Chair

X

Darren Jacklin

X

X

Susan Truax

X

Dan Cahir

X

X

60


Audit Committee

Our audit committee consists of three independent members: Randall Miles, Chairman and financial expert; Richard Miller and Dan Cahir. Our audit committee approves the selection of our independent accountants and meets and interacts with the independent accountants to discuss issues related to financial reporting. In addition, the audit committee reviews the scope and results of the audit with the independent accountants, reviews with management and the independent accountants our annual operating results, considers the adequacy of our internal accounting procedures and considers other auditing and accounting matters including fees to be paid to the independent auditor and the performance of the independent auditor.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and is responsible to the Board for carrying out their duties, namely, determining and approving the Executive Compensation Packages. Our Compensation Committee has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the development, implementation, and effectiveness of all pay and benefit programs.

Governance Committee

Our Corporate Governance Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to oversee and evaluate the Board’s performance and the Company’s compliance with corporate governance regulations, guidelines and principles. Additionally, our Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to be Board members and recommends to the Board directors to serve on each standing committee.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors,principal executive officers and persons who owned more than 10%senior financial officers in accordance with Section 406 of the Company’s common stock (collectively, “Reporting Persons”) to file reportsSarbanes-Oxley Act of ownership2002 and changes in ownership of common stock and other securities of the Company on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC. Reporting Persons were required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they filed.

Based solely on review of reports received by the Company or written representations from the Reporting Persons, the Company believes that with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, all Reporting Persons complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing except Mr. Cahir, Mr. Jacklin, Ms. Truax, Mr. Whiteside and Mr. Petronis filed late Form 3 reports. Ms. Coleman, who is no longer employed by the Company, did not file a Form 3 report. Additionally, late Form 4 reports were filed by Mr. Cahir on December 11, 2018; Mr. Frederick on March 15, 2019; Mr. Jacklin on August 16, 2018; Mr. Miles on June 15, 2018 and August 6, 2018; Mr. Miller on August 6, 2018; Ms. Truax on August 30, 2018; Mr. Sanford on August 31, 2018; and Mr. Whiteside on November 19, 2018.

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The particulars of the compensation paid to:

our principal executive and principal financial officer; 

our president; 

and certain other officers, all of whom will collectively refer to as the “named executive officers” of our company,

are set out in the following summary compensation table:

61




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus

 

Stock Awards(1)

 

Option Awards(2)

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation

 

Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings

 

All Other Compensation(3)

 

Total



 

 

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

Glenn Sanford

 

2018

 

58,875

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

1,748,092(4)

 

1,806,967

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board 

 

2017

 

488,880

 

-0-

 

6,008

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

284,307(4)(6) 

 

779,195

Jason Gesing,

 

2018

 

150,000

 

-0-

 

89,813

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

583,558(4)

 

823,371

Director and Executive Vice President, Business Development

 

2017

 

202,238

 

58,000

 

66,179

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

99,523(4)(7)

 

425,940

Jeff Whiteside,

 

2018

 

33,125

 

36,000

 

-0-

 

2,638,017(5)

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

2,707,142

Chief Financial Officer

 

2017

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

 

-0-

(1)

Amounts in this column represent stock awards issued to the individuals noted, with the fair value determined at the date of grant in accordance with U.S. GAAP based on the closing price of our common stock on the applicable grant date. See Note 9, Stockholders’ Equity, above for the assumptions used in determining the grant date fair value of stock awards  Director compensation as part of stock awards for Glenn Sanford amounted to $6,008 in 2017. Director compensation as part of stock awards for Jason Gesing amounted to $89,813 and $6,008 in 2018 and 2017, respectively.     

(2)

Amounts in this column represent option awards issued to the individuals noted, based on the fair value determined at the date of grant in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See Note 9, Stockholders’ Equity, above for the assumptions used in determining the grant date fair value of option awards.

(3)

The value of privileges and other personal benefits, perquisites and property for the officers that do not exceed the lesser of $10,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus and is not reported herein.

(4)

Consists of revenue sharing earned and officer revenue.

(5)

The dollar amount shown represents the aggregate grant date fair value of common stock awards granted, determined in accordance with US GAAP, but not what was fully vested as of December 31, 2018.

(6)

For the year ended December 31, 2017, $439,380 in commissions earned was included in all other compensation.  In the current period, this amount has been excluded from all other compensation and included in salary in the table above for the 2017 disclosure.

(7)

For the year ended December 31, 2017, $56,133 in commissions earned was included in all other compensation.  In the current period, this amount has been excluded from all other compensation and included in salary in the table above for the 2017 disclosure.

Retirement or Similar Benefit Plans

There are no arrangements or plans in which we provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors or executive officers. Our directors and executive officers may receive stock options and stock grants at the discretion of our board of directors. We do not have any bonus or profit sharing plans pursuant to which cash or non-cash compensation is or may be paid to our directors or executive officers, except that stock options or stock grants may be granted at the discretion of our board of directors. Mr. Sanford and Mr. Gesing are participants in the Company’s revenue share plan and would continue to receive those benefits similar to all other agents and brokers of eXp Realty on a long-term basis. Any revenue share bonuses that are paid to officers and directors would discontinue at the point that they are no longer in an executive position with the Company, however revenue share benefits based on their position in the revenue share system would continue as would be consistent with the revenue share plan.

62


Resignation, Retirement, Other Termination, or Change in Control Arrangements

The Company does not have any agreements or plans in place for the named executive officers that would provide additional compensation in connection with a resignation, retirement or other termination or a change in control..

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option awards

 

Stock awards

Name

 

Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable

 

Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable

 

Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#)

 

Option exercise price ($)

 

Option expiration date

 

Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#)

 

Market value of shares of units of stock that have not vested ($)

 

Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#)

 

Equity incentive plan awards: Market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($)

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(h)

 

(i)

 

(j)

Glenn Sanford, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board 

 

1,617,000 

 

-

 

-

 

$                       0.13

 

10/1/2022

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Jeff Whiteside,  Chief Financial Officer

 

-

 

250,000

 

-

 

$                     11.65

 

11/1/2028

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Compensation of Directors

Mr. Sanford is also our Chief Executive Officer (see Executive Compensation table for services acting as Officers).

During the year-ended December 31, 2018, Mr. Jacklin was compensated $2,000 per month for directorship actives which was paid in common stock. Newly appointed directors received $75,000 a year as compensation. Directors are reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of duties as a Board member.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation earned by or awarded to each non-employee director during fiscal year 2018 who served on our Board during the fiscal year 2018:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash

 

Option Awards (1)

 

Stock Awards (2)

 

Total

Richard Miller (3)

 

$

75,000 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

75,000 

Randall Miles (4)

 

$

75,000 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

75,000 

Darren Jacklin

 

$

24,000 

 

$

 -

 

$

24,108 

 

$

48,108 

Dan Cahir (5)

 

$

16,688 

 

$

963,273 

 

$

 -

 

$

979,961 

(1)

The dollar amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but not what has fully vested as of December 31, 2018.

63


(2)

The dollar amounts shown represent the grant date fair value of stock awards granted, with the fair valued determined at the date of grant in accordance with US GAAP, based on the closing price of our common stock on the applicable grant date.

(3)

As of December 31, 2018, Mr. Miller has 1,285,000 unexercised option awards, which includes 350,000 options under a personal contract between Mr. Miller and Ms. Sanford.

(4)

As of December 31, 2018, Mr. Miles has 1,247,701unexercised option awards, which includes 350,000 options under a contract between Mr. Miles and Ms. Sanford.

(5)

As of December 31, 2018, Mr. Cahir has 100,000 unexercised option awards.

In 2016, we agreed to compensate each of Mr. Miles and Mr. Miller the award of stock options to purchase 1,350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the grant date, with such shares vesting over a three-year period in equal monthly installments, in addition to their $75,000 a year as compensation and reimbursement of expenses reasonably incurred.

64


Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Principal Stockholders and Management

The following table provides certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock, as of March 10, 2019 by:

each person known to us to own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;

each of our executive officers;

each of our directors; and

all of our executive officers and directors and as a group.



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Amount and Nature of 

 

Percentage of 

Title of Class

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

Beneficial Ownership(1)

 

Class(2)



 

More than 5% stockholders:

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Penny Sanford 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

16,279,325

 

26.70%



 

Directors and named executive officers:

 

 

 

 

Common Stock 

 

Glenn Sanford 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

22,661,144(3)

 

36.20%

Common Stock 

 

Jason Gesing 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

1,940,011(4)

 

3.12%

Common Stock

 

Jeff Whiteside 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

15,700(5)

 

0.03%

Common Stock

 

Alan Goldman 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

458,334(6)

 

0.75%

Common Stock

 

Eugene Frederick 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

1,552,351(7)

 

2.55%

Common Stock

 

Richard Miller 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

1,237,500(8)

 

1.99%

Common Stock

 

Randall Miles 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

1,237,500(9)

 

1.99%

Common Stock

 

Darren Jacklin 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

77,585

 

0.13%

Common Stock

 

Susan Truax 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

16,187(10)

 

0.03%

Common Stock

 

Dan Cahir 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

13,889(11)

 

0.02%

Common Stock

 

Mary Frances Coleman 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

59,401(12)

 

0.10%

Common Stock

 

Scott Petronis 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 Bellingham, WA 98226

 

116,250(13)

 

0.19%

Common Stock

 

All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)

 

29,385,852

 

43.97%

Notes

(1) Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the common stock listed above, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC promulgated thereunder. Our Code of Business Conduct and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.

(2) PercentageEthics is available in the corporate governance subsection of ownership is based on 60,978,604 sharesthe investor relations section of our common stock issued website, www.expworldholdings.com, and outstanding as of March 10, 2019. Common stock subjectis available in print upon written request to optionsthe Corporate Secretary, eXp World Holdings, Inc., 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301, Bellingham, WA 98226. In the event that we make changes in, or warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computingprovide waivers from, the percentage ownershipprovisions of the person holding such option or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for purposesCode of computingBusiness Conduct and Ethics that the percentage ownership of any other person.

65


(3) Includes 21,044,144 sharesSEC requires us to disclose, we will disclose these events in the corporate governance section of our common stock including 300,000 shares ofwebsite. Information contained on our common stock pledged as collateral to secure a line of creditwebsite is not incorporated by reference into this report.

The information required by this item will be contained under the following headings in the Proxy Statement and stock options to acquire 1,617,000 shares of our common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.is incorporated herein by reference:

Matters to be Voted on – Proposal 1: Election of Directors;
Corporate Governance;
Executive Officers;
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance;
Accounting Matters – Report of Audit Committee; and
Certain Relationships and Related Transaction.

Item 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

(4) Includes of 765,880 shares of our common stockThe information required by this item will be contained under the following headings in the Proxy Statement and stock options to acquire 1,174,131 shares of our common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.is incorporated herein by reference:

(5) Includes 75 shares of our common stock and stock options to acquire 15,625 shares of our common stock only exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.

(6) Includes 83,334 shares of our common stock and stock options to acquire 375,000 shares of our common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.

(7) Includes 797,566 shares of our common stock pledged as collateral.

(8) Consists of stock options to acquire shares of our common stock only exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.

(9) Consists of stock options to acquire shares of our common stock only exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.

(10) Includes 1,187 shares of our common stock and stock options to acquire 15,000 shares of our common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.

(11) Consists of stock options to acquire shares of our common stock only exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.

(12) Includes of 26 shares of our common stock and stock options to acquire 59,375 shares of our common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.  Ms. Coleman resigned from the Company effective January 25, 2019.

(13) Includes of 6,250 shares of our common stock and stock options to acquire 110,000 shares of our common stock exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2019.

Matters to be Voted on – Proposal 3: Approval of 2020 Executive Compensation on an Advisory Basis;
Corporate Governance – Compensation Committee;
Executive Compensation; and
Director Compensation.

Item 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table summarizes certain information regarding our equity compensation plan as at December 31, 2018:2020:

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

Number of securities to

Weighted-average

equity compensation

be issued upon exercise

exercise price of

plans (excluding

of outstanding options,

outstanding options,

securities reflected in

warrants and rights

warrants and rights

column (a))

Plan Category

    

(a)

    

(b)

    

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

9,851,058

$ 4.82

23,528,822

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

-

-

-

Total

9,851,058

$ 4.82

23,528,822



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Category

 

Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)

 

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)

 

Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

12,570,491 

 

5.02 

 

5,417,869 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

Total

 

12,570,491 

 

5.02 

 

5,417,869 

 

66


2013 Stock Option Plan

On September 27, 2013, we adopted a stock option plan. The purpose ofOther information required by this item will be contained under the stock option plan is to retain the services of valued key employees, directors, officers and consultants and to encourage such persons with an increased initiative to make contributions to our company. Under the stock option plan, eligible employees, consultants and certain other persons who are not eligible employees, may receive awards of “non–qualified stock options”. Individuals, who, at the time of the option grant, are employees of our company or any related company (as definedfollowing headings in the stock option plan) who are subject to taxProxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference:

Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock.

Item 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item will be contained under the following headings in the United States may receive “incentive stock options,”Proxy Statement and non–U.S. residents may receive awards of “non-qualified stock options”. is incorporated herein by reference:

Corporate Governance – Board of Directors Overview;
Corporate Governance – Controlled Company

65

Certain Relationships and Related-Person Transactions; and
Corporate Governance – Director Independence.

Item 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The number of shares of our common stock issuableinformation required by this item will be contained under the plan is 10,000,000. As of March 10, 2019, there were stock options to purchase an aggregate of 4,206,416shares of our common stock outstanding. We do not expect to grant future option awards under the 2013 stock option plan.

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

On March 12, 2015, we adopted an equity incentive plan which was subsequently amended on October 29, 2017. The purpose of the equity incentive plan is to retain the services of valued key employees, directors, officers and consultants and to encourage commitment and motivate excellent performance. Our employees, consultants and directors are eligible to participatefollowing headings in the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan as determinedProxy Statement and is incorporated herein by the Board. The following equity awards may be granted under the equity incentive plan: “incentive stock options”, “non-qualified stock options,” shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards; provided, that “incentive stock options” may be granted only to employees. The number of shares of our common stock issuable under the plan is 21,000,000. As of March 10, 2019, there were stock options to purchase an aggregate of  19,492,568 shares of our common stock outstanding with 1,507,432 available for future issuances.reference:

Matters to be Voted on – Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditor for 2021;
Corporate Governance – Audit Committee; and
Accounting Matters – Principal Independent Auditor Fees.

66

PART IV

Item 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(1) Financial Statements

On November 14, 2017, we filed a registration statement on Form S-8 to register the sale of 23,273,890 shares issuable under the 2013 Stock Option Plan and 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

Changes in Control

We are unaware of any arrangement the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of our company.

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Transactions with Related Persons

None

Director Independence

Our bylaws provide that we have at least one director, and as of the date this report, our Board consisted of a total eight directors, consisting of Glenn Sanford, Jason Gesing, Eugene Frederick, Richard Miller, Randall Miles, Darren Jacklin, Susan Truax and Dan Cahir. Under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2), a director is not considered to be independent if he or she is also an executive officer or employee of the Company, or otherwise has any material relationship with the Company or its affiliates that would impair independence. Using this definition of director independence, each of the following directors are considered independent; Darren Jacklin, Randall Miles, Richard Miller and Dan Cahir.

67


Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Principal Accounting Fees

The following table sets forth fees billed or accrued by our independent registered public accountants during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:  



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Year Ended December 31,



 

2018

 

2017



 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit fees

 

$

785,000 

 

$

490,000 

Audit related fees

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Tax fees

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

All other fees

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Total fees

 

$

785,000 

 

$

490,000 

Audit fees pertain to the audit of our annualSee Consolidated Financial Statements including reviews of the interim financial statements contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by an independent registered accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. Our current principal accountant BDO USA, LLP was engaged to audit our Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Audit-related fees consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements, which are not reported under “Audit Fees.” 

Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

The principal accountant for the current year and for the most recently completed fiscal year is not expected to present at the stockholders’ meeting and, therefore, will not make a statement or be available to respond to questions.

All other fees consist of fees for products and services other than the services reported above. There were no management consulting services provided in the fiscal year end December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

All services provided by our independent registered accountants were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is presented, for approval, a description of the Audit-related, Tax and Other services expected to be performed by the independent registered accounts during the fiscal year.

The Audit Committee determined that all services provided by our independent registered accountants were compatible with maintaining their independence.

68


PART IV

Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES8

(a)(2) Financial Statements Schedule**

**

All other schedules have been omitted because they are inapplicable, not required or because the information is given in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto. This supplemental schedule should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in this report.

EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number

    

Exhibit Description

Exhibit3.1

Exhibit

Number

Description

2.1 

Merger Agreement dated August 15, 2013 with eXp Realty International, Inc. and eXp Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference on Form 8-K, filed on August 20, 2013)

3.1 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed on October 9, 2018)

3.2

3.2 

Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference from Appendix B to the Company’ Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed on October 9, 2018)

3.3

10.1 

Affiliate Stock Purchase AgreementCertificate of Correction to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2013)24, 2020)

4.1

Description of Securities

10.2 

10.1

2013 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K,8‑K filed on October 2, 2013)

10.2

10.3 

eXp Realty International Corporation 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed on April 2, 2015)

10.3

10.4 

First Amendment to eXp Realty International Corporation 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Company’s Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed on October 6, 2017)

10.4

Second Amendment to eXp World Holdings, Inc 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Company’s Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed on November 15, 2019)

10.5

eXp Realty International Corporation 2015 Agent Equity Program Enrollment Form (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K8‑K filed on April 30, 2015)

10.6

14 

Code of EthicseXp World Holdings, Inc Stock Repurchase Program (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2018)

10.7

First Amendment to eXp World Holdings, Inc Stock Repurchase Program (incorporated by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 27, 2019)

21 

10.8

Second Amendment to eXp World Holdings, Inc Stock Repurchase Program, Board Resolution approved December 17, 2020

10.9

2020 Independent Contractor Agreement and Agent Equity Enrollment Form (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 5, 2020)

14.1

Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 14.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2020)

21.1

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Deloitte & Touche LLP)

31.1 

23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (BDO USA, LLP)

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)13a‑14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)15d‑14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

31.2 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)13a‑14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)15d‑14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

32.1 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2

32.2 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

67

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

None

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Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

None

SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

eXp World Holdings, Inc.

(Registrant)

Date: March 18, 201911, 2021

/s/ Glenn Sanford

Glenn Sanford

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 18, 201911, 2021

/s/ Jeff Whiteside

Jeff Whiteside

Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name

Title

Date

Name

Title

Date

/s/ Glenn sanfordGLENN SANFORD

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

March 18, 201911, 2021

Glenn Sanford

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ JEFF WHITESIDE

Chief Financial Officer

March 18, 201911, 2021

Jeff Whiteside

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Alan GoldmanKENT CHENG

Chief Accounting OfficerGlobal Controller

March 18, 201911, 2021

Alan GoldmanKent Cheng

(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Jason GesingJAMES BRAMBLE

Director General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

March 18, 201911, 2021

Jason GesingJames Bramble

/s/ EUGene FrederickJASON GESING

Director

March 18, 201911, 2021

Eugene FrederickJason Gesing

/s/ Richard MillerEUGENE FREDERICK

Director

March 18, 201911, 2021

Richard MillerEugene Frederick

/s/ Randall MilesRANDALL MILES

Director

March 18, 201911, 2021

Randall Miles

/s/ Darren jacklinDARREN JACKLIN

Director

March 18, 201911, 2021

Darren Jacklin

/s/ Susan TruaxFELICIA GENTRY

Director

March 18, 201911, 2021

Susan TruaxFelicia Gentry

/s/ DAN CAHIR

Director

March 18, 201911, 2021

Dan Cahir

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