APPFOLIO INC (APPF) FY 2024 MD&A

ITEM 7.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity should be read together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

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The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations includes 2024 and 2023 items and year-over-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. For discussion of 2022 items and year-over-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022, refer to Part II. Item 7. “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Overview

We are a technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry. We provide a cloud-based platform on which our customers operate their businesses. We help our customers navigate an increasingly interconnected and growing network of stakeholders in their business ecosystems, including property managers, property investors, potential residents, residents, and vendors. We also provide key functionality related to critical transactions across the real estate lifecycle, including screening potential residents, sending and receiving payments, and providing insurance-related risk mitigation services. Our services enable our customers to connect communities, increase operational efficiency, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and improve financial and operational performance.

Key Business Metric

We monitor the key business metric set forth below to help us evaluate our business, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans, and make strategic decisions.

Property management units under management. We believe that our ability to increase the number of property management units under management is an indicator of our market penetration, growth, and potential future business opportunities. We define property management units under management as active or committed units under management at the period end date. We had 8.7 million and 8.2 million property management units under management, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Seasonality

We have historically experienced seasonality in our Value Added Services revenue due to seasonally higher leasing activities in the second quarter. Specifically, higher tenant applications in the second quarter typically result in increased use by our property management customers of our tenant screening services and, in the third quarter once resident move-ins have occurred, higher demand for our risk mitigation services. Because of the seasonality in our Value Added Services, we typically experience a sequential increase in revenue in the first, second, and third quarters and a sequential decline in revenue in the fourth quarter. Moreover, if macroeconomic factors in a given fiscal year impact tenant behavior, our product portfolio mix, or the adoption rate of our other less seasonally impacted Value Added Services, the effect that seasonal factors have on our revenue may be exacerbated. Although these seasonal factors are common in the real estate industry, historical patterns should not be considered a reliable indicator of our future sales activity or performance.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

Our core solutions and certain of our Value Added Services are offered on a subscription basis. The subscription fees for our core solutions vary by property type and are designed to scale with the size of our customers’ businesses. We recognize revenue for subscription-based services on a straight-line basis over the contract term beginning on the date that our service is made available. We generally invoice monthly or, to a lesser extent, annually in advance of a subscription period.

We also offer certain Value Added Services, which are not covered by our subscription fees, on a per-use basis. Usage-based fees are charged either as a percentage of the transaction amount (e.g., for certain of our electronic payment services) or on a flat fee per transaction basis generally with no minimum usage commitments (e.g., for our tenant screening and risk mitigation services). We recognize revenue for usage-based services in the period the service is rendered. Our payments services fees are recorded gross of any interchange and payment processing related fees. We generally invoice our usage-based services on a monthly basis or collect the fee at the time of service. A significant majority of our Value Added Services revenue comes from the use of our electronic payment services, tenant screening services, and risk mitigation services.

In addition, we charge our customers for assistance onboarding onto our core solutions and for certain other non-recurring services. We generally invoice for these other services in advance of the services being completed and recognize revenue in the period the service is rendered. We also generate revenue from the legacy customers of businesses we acquire that provide standalone services outside of our platform. Revenue derived from these services is recorded in Other revenue. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had 20,784 and 19,737 property management customers, respectively.

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Costs and Operating Expenses

Cost of Revenue (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization). Many of our Value Added Services are facilitated by third-party service providers. Cost of revenue paid to these third-party service providers includes, without limitation, the cost of electronic interchange and payment processing-related services to support our payments services, the cost of credit reporting services for our tenant screening services, and various costs associated with our risk mitigation service providers. These third-party costs vary both in amount and as a percent of revenue for each Value Added Service offering. Cost of revenue also includes personnel-related costs for our employees focused on customer service and the support of our operations (including salaries, cash bonuses, benefits, and stock-based compensation), platform infrastructure costs (such as data center operations and hosting-related costs), and allocated shared and other costs. Cost of revenue excludes depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of capitalized software development costs and amortization of intangible assets.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expense consists of personnel-related costs for our employees focused on sales and marketing (including salaries, sales commissions, cash bonuses, benefits, and stock-based compensation), costs associated with sales and marketing activities, and allocated shared and other costs. Marketing activities include advertising, online lead generation, lead nurturing, customer and industry events, and the creation of industry-related content and collateral. We focus our sales and marketing efforts on generating awareness of our software solutions, creating sales leads, establishing and promoting our brands, and cultivating an educated community of successful and vocal customers.

Research and Product Development. Research and product development expense consists of personnel-related costs for our employees focused on research and product development (including salaries, cash bonuses, benefits, and stock-based compensation), fees for third-party development resources, and allocated shared and other costs. Our research and product development efforts are focused on expanding functionality and the ease of use of our existing software solutions by adding new core functionality, Value Added Services and other improvements, as well as developing new products and services. We capitalize our software development costs that meet the criteria for capitalization. Amortization of capitalized software development costs is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expense consists of personnel-related costs for employees in our executive, finance, information technology, human resources, legal, compliance, and administrative organizations (including salaries, cash bonuses, benefits, and stock-based compensation). In addition, general and administrative expense includes fees for third-party professional services (including audit, legal, compliance, and tax services), regulatory fees, other corporate expenses, impairment of long-lived assets, gains on lease modifications, and allocated shared and other costs.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of capitalized software development costs, and amortization of intangible assets. We depreciate or amortize property and equipment, software development costs, and intangible assets over their expected useful lives on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are consumed.

Interest Income, Net. Interest income, net includes interest earned on investment securities, amortization and accretion of the premium and discounts paid from the purchase of investment securities, and interest earned on cash deposited in our bank accounts.

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes. (Benefit from) provision for income taxes consists of federal and state income taxes in the United States.

Results of Operations

Revenue

The increase in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year, was primarily attributable to an increase in the usage of our electronic payment, tenant screening, and risk mitigation services. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we experienced growth of 6% in the number of property management units under management compared to the prior year, which drove growth in both the number users and usage of our subscription and usage-based services.

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Our electronic payment services experienced increased usage during the comparative periods as residents, property managers, and owners transacted more business online. In addition, we stopped waiving eCheck (ACH) transaction fees beginning in the third quarter of 2023. Our tenant screening and risk mitigation services usage also increased during the comparative periods, driven by higher adoption and growth in units under management, respectively.

We expect total revenue for the year ending December 31, 2025 to increase compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 as we continue to add new customers and property management units under management, along with increased adoption and usage of our Value Added Services.

Cost of Revenue (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization)

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased primarily due to increases in expenditures to third-party service providers related to the delivery of our Value Added Services of $40.7 million compared to the prior year. This increase was directly associated with the increased adoption and utilization of our Value Added Services. Allocated shared and other costs increased by $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year, primarily related to investment in platform infrastructure in support of our overall growth.

We expect cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) for the year ending December 31, 2025, to stay relatively flat as a percentage of revenue compared to the year ended December 31, 2024.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased compared to the prior year, primarily due to a $2.4 million increase in advertising and promotion expense and a $3.4 million increase related to our FUTURE conference. These increases were partially offset by a $1.5 million reduction in personnel-related costs, including cash bonuses and stock-based compensation. The reduction in personnel-related costs included $3.8 million of severance and related personnel expenses from a workforce reduction in the third quarter of 2023. For additional information, see Note 17, Workforce Reduction, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, stock-based compensation increased due to additional grants to current and new employees with higher grant date fair value.

We expect sales and marketing expense for the year ending December 31, 2025 to slightly increase as a percentage of revenue compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 as we increase awareness and presence through targeted go-to-market investment.

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Research and Product Development

Research and product development expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased compared to the prior year. The increase was mainly due to a $4.8 million rise in personnel-related costs, including cash bonuses and stock-based compensation. These costs, net of capitalized software development costs, were driven by headcount growth and higher salaries as we continued to invest in innovation. Additionally, there was a $4.2 million increase in allocated shared and other costs, largely due to higher technology expense. The increase in personnel costs was partially offset by $3.4 million in severance and related expenses from a workforce reduction in the third quarter of 2023. For additional information, see Note 17, Workforce Reduction, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, stock-based compensation increased due to additional grants to current and new employees with higher grant date fair value.

We expect research and product development expenses for the year ending December 31, 2025 to decrease as a percentage of revenue compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, as we continue to leverage headcount efficiencies.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased compared to the prior year, primarily due to a $15.4 million decrease in personnel-related costs, including cash bonuses and stock-based compensation, which was partially offset by a $7.8 million increase in allocated shared and other costs. The decrease in personnel-related costs was primarily due to the $14.9 million separation costs incurred in the first quarter of 2023 in connection with our former Chief Executive Officer's separation and the $2.5 million severance related expenses from a workforce reduction in the third quarter of 2023. For additional information, see Note 9, Accrued Employee Expenses, and Note 17, Workforce Reduction, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. The increase in allocated shared and other costs was primarily due to a $4.3 million lease modifications gain recognized in 2023 and a $3.5 million increase in technology and professional services expenses to support our growth in 2024.

We expect general and administrative expenses for the year ending December 31, 2025 to decrease as a percentage of revenue compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, as we continue to leverage headcount efficiencies.

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Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased, compared to the prior year, primarily due to decreased amortization expense associated with capitalized software development and intangible balances.

We expect depreciation and amortization expenses for the year ending December 31, 2025 to increase as a percentage of revenue compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 due to amortization of the intangible assets recognized from the acquisition of Move EZ, Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2024. For additional information, see Note 7, Business Combination, and Note 8, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

Interest Income, Net

Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased, compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher interest rates and purchases of available-for-sale investment securities.

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

The decrease in our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, is primarily due to the valuation allowance release against our federal and state deferred tax assets, which was partially offset by higher tax expense due to a significant increase in our pre-tax income.

As of December 31, 2024, we recorded an income tax benefit of $53.7 million, primarily due to the release of our valuation allowance of certain U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance at each reporting period, we consider the weighting of all available positive and negative evidence, which includes, among other things, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative taxable income or losses, future projections of profitability, timing of the future reversal of existing temporary differences, and the duration of statutory carryforward periods. In assessing all available evidence, we determined that there was sufficient positive evidence to overcome the negative evidence, including our past and current financial results, growth demonstrated in our top-line performance, as well as projected profitability. Accordingly, we determined it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized and we released our valuation allowance at December 31, 2024.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity continue to be cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities, as well as cash flows generated from our operations. As of December 31, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents and investment securities had an aggregate balance of $278.2 million. We have financed our operations primarily through cash generated from operations. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, and cash generated from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months.

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Capital Requirements

Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including continued market acceptance of our software solutions; changes in the number of our customers, adoption and utilization of our Value Added Services by new and existing customers; the timing and extent of the introduction of new core functionality, products and Value Added Services; and the timing and extent of our investments across our organization.

As of December 31, 2024, our non-cancelable purchase commitments for business operations totaled $57.5 million, which are due primarily over the next three years. Operating lease obligations total $50.4 million as of December 31, 2024 associated with leased facilities and have varying maturities with $32.9 million due over the next five years.

We have in the past entered into, and may in the future enter into, arrangements to acquire or invest in new technologies or markets. We may, as a result of those arrangements or the general expansion of our business, be required to seek additional equity or debt financing, which may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all, impacting our ability to compete successfully, which would harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of shares of our Class A common stock from time to time. To date, we have repurchased $4.2 million of our Class A common stock under the Share Repurchase Program. For additional information regarding our Share Repurchase Program, see Note 13, Stockholders' Equity, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

Cash Flows

The following table presents our cash flows for the periods indicated (in thousands):

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Our primary source of operating cash inflows is cash collected from our customers in connection with their use of our core solutions and Value Added Services. Our primary uses of cash from operating activities are for personnel-related expenditures and third-party costs incurred to support the delivery of our software solutions.

The net increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year, was primarily due to a higher increase in cash collections from customers relative to the increase in operating expenditures during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities is generally composed of the cash paid in business acquisition, net of cash acquired, purchases of investment securities, maturities and sales of investment securities, purchases of property and equipment, and additions to capitalized software development.

The net increase in cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year, was primarily due to higher purchases of available-for-sale investment securities and the cash paid in business acquisition, net of cash acquired. For additional information regarding the business combination, see Note 7 Business Combination, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

Cash Used in Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities is generally composed of net share settlements for employee tax withholdings associated with the vesting of equity awards offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

The net increase in cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year, was primarily due to an increase in net share settlements for employee tax withholdings associated with the vesting of equity awards.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2024, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

We believe that the following critical accounting policies involve a greater degree of judgment or complexity than our other accounting policies. Accordingly, these are the policies we believe are the most critical to a full understanding and evaluation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional information, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.

Revenue Recognition

Many of our contracts with customers contain multiple performance obligations. Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may require judgment. We account for individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. The performance obligations for these contracts include access and use of our core solutions, implementation services, and customer support. Access and use of our core solutions and implementation services are considered distinct.

The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price for each distinct performance obligation. We typically have more than one standalone selling price for individual products and services due to the stratification of those products and services by customers and circumstances. In these instances, we determine the standalone selling price based on our overall pricing objectives, taking into consideration customer demographics and other factors. Fees are fixed based on rates specified in the subscription agreements, which do not provide for any refunds or adjustments.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance at each reporting period, we consider the weighting of all available positive and negative evidence, which includes, among other things, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative taxable income or losses, future projections of profitability, timing of the future reversal of existing temporary differences, and the duration of statutory carryforward periods. In assessing all available evidence, we determined that there was sufficient positive evidence to overcome the negative evidence, including our past and current financial results, growth demonstrated in our top-line performance, as well as projected profitability. Accordingly, we determined it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized and we released our valuation allowance at December 31, 2024.

Judgment is required to measure the amount of tax benefits that can be recognized in connection with uncertain tax positions. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. We recognize interest and penalties accrued with respect to uncertain tax positions, if any, in our provision for income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Business Combinations

The results of a business acquired in a business combination are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. We allocate the purchase price, including the fair value of contingent consideration, to the identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired business at their acquisition date fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill.

Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management to make significant judgments and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies and assumptions. Critical estimates used in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, development costs, the time required to recreate the assets and profit margin a market participant would receive, and rate of return. These estimates are based on information obtained from the management of the acquired companies, our assessment of the information, and historical experience. Our estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. During the measurement period of up to one year from the acquisition date, we

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may record adjustments to the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding offset to goodwill for these business combinations.

Acquisition-related transaction costs are not included as a component of consideration transferred, but are accounted for as an operating expense in the period in which the costs are incurred.

The allocation of the purchase price in a business combination requires management to make significant estimates in determining the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, especially with respect to intangible assets. The excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Critical estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows, discount rates, revenue growth rates, the time and expense to recreate the assets and profit margin a market participant would receive. These estimates are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions as new information is obtained and may record adjustments to the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed but not later than one year from the acquisition date.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.