HOMESTORE COM INC
S-8, EX-4.05, 2000-10-25
REAL ESTATE AGENTS & MANAGERS (FOR OTHERS)
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                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.05

                       THE HESSEL 2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                          As Adopted September 1, 2000

     1.  PURPOSE.  The purpose of this Plan is to provide incentives to attract,
         -------
retain and motivate eligible persons whose present and potential contributions
are important to the success of the Company, its Parent and Subsidiaries, by
offering them an opportunity to participate in the Company's future performance
through awards of Options, Restricted Stock and Stock Bonuses.  Capitalized
terms not defined in the text are defined in Section 23.

     2.  SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
         --------------------------

         2.1  Number of Shares Available.  Subject to Sections 2.2 and 18, the
              --------------------------
total number of Shares reserved and available for grant and issuance pursuant to
this Plan will be Six Thousand One Hundred and Eighty (6,180).  At all times the
Company shall reserve and keep available a sufficient number of Shares as shall
be required to satisfy the requirements of all outstanding Options granted under
this Plan and all other outstanding but unvested Awards granted under this Plan.

         2.2  Adjustment of Shares.  In the event of a dividend or other
              --------------------
distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock of the Company, other
securities, or other property), recapitalization, reclassification, stock split,
reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination, repurchase, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of
warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company,
or other similar corporate transaction or event, then (a) the number of Shares
reserved for issuance under this Plan, (b) the Exercise Prices of and number of
Shares subject to outstanding Options, and (c) the number of Shares subject to
other outstanding Awards will be proportionately adjusted, subject to any
required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company and compliance
with applicable securities laws; provided, however, that fractions of a Share
                                 --------  -------
will not be issued but will either be replaced by a cash payment equal to the
Fair Market Value of such fraction of a Share or will be rounded up to the
nearest whole Share, as determined by the Committee.

     3.  ELIGIBILITY.  Subject to Section 18.4, ISOs (as defined in Section 5
         -----------
below) may be granted only to employees (including Officers and directors who
are also employees) of the Company or of a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
Subject to Section 18.4, all other Awards may be granted to employees, officers,
directors, consultants, independent contractors and advisors of the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company; provided such consultants, contractors
                                         --------
and advisors render bona fide services not in connection with the offer and sale
of securities in a capital-raising transaction.  No person will be eligible to
receive more than Six Thousand (6,000) Shares in any calendar year under this
Plan pursuant to the grant of Awards hereunder.  A person may be granted more
than one Award under this Plan.
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     4.   ADMINISTRATION.
          --------------

          4.1  Committee Authority.  This Plan will be administered by the
               -------------------
Committee or by the Board acting as the Committee.  Subject to the general
purposes, terms and conditions of this Plan, and to the direction of the Board,
the Committee will have full power to implement and carry out this Plan.  The
Committee will have the authority to:

               (a)  construe and interpret this Plan, any Award Agreement and
                    any other agreement or document executed pursuant to this
                    Plan;

               (b)  prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating
                    to this Plan or any Award;

               (c)  select persons to receive Awards;

               (d)  determine the form and terms of Awards;

               (e)  determine the number of Shares or other consideration
                    subject to Awards;

               (f)  determine whether Awards will be granted singly, in
                    combination with, in tandem with, in replacement of, or as
                    alternatives to, other Awards under this Plan or any other
                    incentive or compensation plan of the Company or any Parent
                    or Subsidiary of the Company;

               (g)  grant waivers of Plan or Award conditions;

               (h)  determine the vesting, exercisability and payment of Awards;

               (i)  correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any
                    inconsistency in this Plan, any Award or any Award
                    Agreement;

               (j)  determine whether an Award has been earned; and

               (k)  make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the
                    administration of this Plan.

          4.2  Committee Discretion.  Any determination made by the Committee
               --------------------
with respect to any Award will be made in its sole discretion at the time of
grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term of this Plan
or Award, at any later time, and such determination will be final and binding on
the Company and on all persons having an interest in any Award under this Plan.
The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority
to grant an Award under this Plan to Participants who are not Insiders of the
Company.

     5.   OPTIONS.  The Committee may grant Options to eligible persons and will
          -------
determine whether such Options will be Incentive Stock Options within the
meaning of the Code ("ISOs") or Nonqualified Stock Options ("NQSOs"), the number
of Shares subject to the Option,

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the Exercise Price of the Option, the period during which the Option may be
exercised, and all other terms and conditions of the Option, subject to the
following:

          5.1  Form of Option Grant.  Each Option granted under this Plan will
               --------------------
be evidenced by an Award Agreement which will expressly identify the Option as
an ISO or an NQSO ("Stock Option Agreement"), and will be in such form and
contain such provisions (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the
Committee may from time to time approve, and which will comply with and be
subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

          5.2  Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Option will be the date
               -------------
on which the Committee makes the determination to grant such Option, unless
otherwise specified by the Committee.  The Stock Option Agreement and a copy of
this Plan will be delivered to the Participant within a reasonable time after
the granting of the Option.

          5.3  Exercise Period.  Options may be exercisable within the times or
               ---------------
upon the events determined by the Committee as set forth in the Stock Option
Agreement governing such Option; provided, however, that no Option will be
                                 --------  -------
exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date the Option is
granted; and provided further that no ISO granted to a person who directly or by
             -------- -------
attribution owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power
of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company ("Ten Percent Stockholder") will be exercisable after the expiration of
five (5) years from the date the ISO is granted.  The Committee also may provide
for Options to become exercisable at one time or from time to time, periodically
or otherwise, in such number of Shares or percentage of Shares as the Committee
determines.

          5.4  Exercise Price.  The Exercise Price of an Option will be
               --------------
determined by the Committee when the Option is granted and may be not less than
85% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant; provided that:
(i) the Exercise Price of an ISO will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of grant; and (ii) the Exercise Price of any ISO
granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder will not be less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant.  Payment for the Shares
purchased may be made in accordance with Section 8 of this Plan.

          5.5  Method of Exercise.  Options may be exercised only by delivery to
               ------------------
the Company of a written stock option exercise agreement  (the "Exercise
Agreement") in a form approved by the Committee (which need not be the same for
each Participant), stating the number of Shares being purchased, the
restrictions imposed on the Shares purchased under such Exercise Agreement, if
any, and such representations and agreements regarding Participant's investment
intent and access to information and other matters, if any, as may be required
or desirable by the Company to comply with applicable securities laws, together
with payment in full of the Exercise Price for the number of Shares being
purchased.

          5.6  Termination.  Notwithstanding the exercise periods set forth in
               -----------
the Stock Option Agreement, exercise of an Option will always be subject to the
following:

               (a)  If the Participant is Terminated for any reason except death
                    or Disability, then the Participant may exercise such
                    Participant's

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                    Options only to the extent that such Options would have been
                    exercisable upon the Termination Date no later than three
                    months after the Termination Date (or such shorter or longer
                    time period not exceeding five (5) years as may be
                    determined by the Committee, with any exercise beyond three
                    (3) months after the Termination Date deemed to be an NQSO),
                    but in any event, no later than the expiration date of the
                    Options.

               (b)  If the Participant is Terminated because of Participant's
                    death or Disability (or the Participant dies within three
                    (3) months after a Termination other than for Cause or
                    because of Participant's Disability), then Participant's
                    Options may be exercised only to the extent that such
                    Options would have been exercisable by Participant on the
                    Termination Date and must be exercised by Participant (or
                    Participant's legal representative or authorized assignee)
                    no later than twelve months after the Termination Date (or
                    such shorter or longer time period not exceeding five (5)
                    years as may be determined by the Committee, with any such
                    exercise beyond (a) three (3) months after the Termination
                    Date when the Termination is for any reason other than the
                    Participant's death or Disability, or (b) twelve (12) months
                    after the Termination Date when the Termination is for
                    Participant's death or Disability, deemed to be an NQSO),
                    but in any event no later than the expiration date of the
                    Options.

               (c)  Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph 5.6(a) above, if
                    a Participant is terminated for Cause, then the Participant,
                    the Participant's estate or such other person who may then
                    hold the Options may exercise such Participant's Options,
                    only to the extent that such Option would have been
                    exercisable upon the Termination Date, no later than one
                    month after the Termination Date, but in any event, no later
                    than the expiration date of the Options.  In making such
                    determination, the Board shall give the Participant an
                    opportunity to present to the Board evidence on his behalf.
                    For the purpose of this paragraph, termination of service
                    shall be deemed to occur on the date when the Company
                    dispatches notice or advice to the Participant that his
                    service is terminated.

          5.7  Limitations on Exercise.  The Committee may specify a reasonable
               -----------------------
minimum number of Shares that may be purchased on any exercise of an Option,
provided that such minimum number will not prevent Participant from exercising
the Option for the full number of Shares for which it is then exercisable.

          5.8  Limitations on ISO.  The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined
               ------------------
as of the date of grant) of Shares with respect to which ISO are exercisable for
the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or
under any other incentive stock option plan of the Company, Parent or Subsidiary
of the Company) will not exceed $100,000.

                                       4
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If the Fair Market Value of Shares on the date of grant with respect to which
ISO are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year
exceeds $100,000, then the Options for the first $100,000 worth of Shares to
become exercisable in such calendar year will be ISO and the Options for the
amount in excess of $100,000 that become exercisable in that calendar year will
be NQSOs. In the event that the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder
are amended after the Effective Date of this Plan to provide for a different
limit on the Fair Market Value of Shares permitted to be subject to ISO, such
different limit will be automatically incorporated herein and will apply to any
Options granted after the effective date of such amendment.

          5.9  Modification, Extension or Renewal.  The Committee may modify,
               ----------------------------------
extend or renew outstanding Options and authorize the grant of new Options in
substitution therefor, provided that any such action may not, without the
written consent of a Participant, impair any of such Participant's rights under
any Option previously granted.  Any outstanding ISO that is modified, extended,
renewed or otherwise altered will be treated in accordance with Section 424(h)
of the Code.  The Committee may reduce the Exercise Price of outstanding Options
without the consent of Participants affected by a written notice to them;
provided, however, that the Exercise Price may not be reduced below the minimum
--------  -------
Exercise Price that would be permitted under Section 5.4 of this Plan for
Options granted on the date the action is taken to reduce the Exercise Price.

          5.10  No Disqualification.  Notwithstanding any other provision in
                -------------------
this Plan, no term of this Plan relating to ISO will be interpreted, amended or
altered, nor will any discretion or authority granted under this Plan be
exercised, so as to disqualify this Plan under Section 422 of the Code or,
without the consent of the Participant affected, to disqualify any ISO under
Section 422 of the Code.

      6.  RESTRICTED STOCK.  A Restricted Stock Award is an offer by the Company
to sell to an eligible person Shares that are subject to restrictions.  The
Committee will determine to whom an offer will be made, the number of Shares the
person may purchase, the price to be paid (the "Purchase Price"), the
restrictions to which the Shares will be subject, and all other terms and
conditions of the Restricted Stock Award, subject to the following:

          6.1  Form of Restricted Stock Award.  All purchases under a Restricted
               ------------------------------
Stock Award made pursuant to this Plan will be evidenced by an Award Agreement
("Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement") that will be in such form (which need
not be the same for each Participant) as the Committee will from time to time
approve, and will comply with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this
Plan.  The offer of Restricted Stock will be accepted by the Participant's
execution and delivery of the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement and full
payment for the Shares to the Company within thirty (30) days from the date the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is delivered to the person.  If such person
does not execute and deliver the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement along with
full payment for the Shares to the Company within thirty (30) days, then the
offer will terminate, unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

          6.2  Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price of Shares sold pursuant to a
               --------------
Restricted Stock Award will be determined by the Committee on the date the
Restricted Stock Award is

                                       5
<PAGE>

granted, except in the case of a sale to a Ten Percent Stockholder, in which
case the Purchase Price will be 100% of the Fair Market Value. Payment of the
Purchase Price may be made in accordance with Section 8 of this Plan.

          6.3  Terms of Restricted Stock Awards.  Restricted Stock Awards shall
               --------------------------------
be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose.  These restrictions
may be based upon completion of a specified number of years of service with the
Company or upon completion of the performance goals as set out in advance in the
Participant's individual Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.  Restricted Stock
Awards may vary from Participant to Participant and between groups of
Participants.  Prior to the grant of a Restricted Stock Award, the Committee
shall:  (a) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance
Period for the Restricted Stock Award; (b) select from among the Performance
Factors to be used to measure performance goals, if any; and (c) determine the
number of Shares that may be awarded to the Participant.  Prior to the payment
of any Restricted Stock Award, the Committee shall determine the extent to which
such Restricted Stock Award has been earned.  Performance Periods may overlap
and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Restricted Stock
Awards that are subject to different Performance Periods and having different
performance goals and other criteria.

          6.4  Termination During Performance Period.  If a Participant is
               -------------------------------------
Terminated during a Performance Period for any reason, then such Participant
will be entitled to payment (whether in Shares, cash or otherwise) with respect
to the Restricted Stock Award only to the extent earned as of the date of
Termination in accordance with the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, unless
the Committee will determine otherwise.

      7.  STOCK BONUSES.
          -------------

          7.1  Awards of Stock Bonuses.  A Stock Bonus is an award of Shares
               -----------------------
(which may consist of Restricted Stock) for services rendered to the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  A Stock Bonus may be awarded for past
services already rendered to the Company, or any Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company pursuant to an Award Agreement (the "Stock Bonus Agreement") that will
be in such form (which need not be the same for each Participant) as the
Committee will from time to time approve, and will comply with and be subject to
the terms and conditions of this Plan.  A Stock Bonus may be awarded upon
satisfaction of such performance goals as are set out in advance in the
Participant's individual Award Agreement (the "Performance Stock Bonus
Agreement") that will be in such form (which need not be the same for each
Participant) as the Committee will from time to time approve, and will comply
with and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan.  Stock Bonuses may
vary from Participant to Participant and between groups of Participants, and may
be based upon the achievement of the Company, Parent or Subsidiary and/or
individual performance factors or upon such other criteria as the Committee may
determine.

          7.2  Terms of Stock Bonuses.  The Committee will determine the number
               ----------------------
of Shares to be awarded to the Participant.  If the Stock Bonus is being earned
upon the satisfaction of performance goals pursuant to a Performance Stock Bonus
Agreement, then the Committee will: (a)  determine the nature, length and
starting date of any Performance Period for each Stock Bonus; (b) select from
among the Performance Factors to be used to measure the performance, if

                                       6
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any; and (c) determine the number of Shares that may be awarded to the
Participant. Prior to the payment of any Stock Bonus, the Committee shall
determine the extent to which such Stock Bonuses have been earned. Performance
Periods may overlap and Participants may participate simultaneously with respect
to Stock Bonuses that are subject to different Performance Periods and different
performance goals and other criteria. The number of Shares may be fixed or may
vary in accordance with such performance goals and criteria as may be determined
by the Committee. The Committee may adjust the performance goals applicable to
the Stock Bonuses to take into account changes in law and accounting or tax
rules and to make such adjustments as the Committee deems necessary or
appropriate to reflect the impact of extraordinary or unusual items, events or
circumstances to avoid windfalls or hardships.

          7.3  Form of Payment.  The earned portion of a Stock Bonus may be paid
               ---------------
currently or on a deferred basis with such interest or dividend equivalent, if
any, as the Committee may determine.  Payment may be made in the form of cash or
whole Shares or a combination thereof, either in a lump sum payment or in
installments, all as the Committee will determine.

      8.  PAYMENT FOR SHARE PURCHASES.
          ---------------------------

          8.1  Payment.  Payment for Shares purchased pursuant to this Plan may
               -------
be made in cash (by check) or, where expressly approved for the Participant by
the Committee and where permitted by law:

               (a)  by cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the
                    Participant;

               (b)  by surrender of shares that either:  (1) have been owned by
                    Participant for more than six (6) months and have been paid
                    for within the meaning of SEC Rule 144 (and, if such shares
                    were purchased from the Company by use of a promissory note,
                    such note has been fully paid with respect to such shares);
                    or (2) were obtained by Participant in the public market;

               (c)  by tender of a full recourse promissory note having such
                    terms as may be approved by the Committee and bearing
                    interest at a rate sufficient to avoid imputation of income
                    under Sections 483 and 1274 of the Code; provided, however,
                    that Participants who are not employees or directors of the
                    Company will not be entitled to purchase Shares with a
                    promissory note unless the note is adequately secured by
                    collateral other than the Shares;

               (d)  by waiver of compensation due or accrued to the Participant
                    for services rendered;

               (e)  with respect only to purchases upon exercise of an Option,
                    and provided that a public market for the Company's stock
                    exists:

                    (1)  through a "same day sale" commitment from the
                         Participant and a broker-dealer that is a member of the
                         National

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                         Association of Securities Dealers (an "NASD Dealer")
                         whereby the Participant irrevocably elects to exercise
                         the Option and to sell a portion of the Shares so
                         purchased to pay for the Exercise Price, and whereby
                         the NASD Dealer irrevocably commits upon receipt of
                         such Shares to forward the Exercise Price directly to
                         the Company; or

                    (2)  through a "margin" commitment from the Participant and
                         a NASD Dealer whereby the Participant irrevocably
                         elects to exercise the Option and to pledge the Shares
                         so purchased to the NASD Dealer in a margin account as
                         security for a loan from the NASD Dealer in the amount
                         of the Exercise Price, and whereby the NASD Dealer
                         irrevocably commits upon receipt of such Shares to
                         forward the Exercise Price directly to the Company; or

               (f)  by any combination of the foregoing.

          8.2  Loan Guarantees.  The Committee may help the Participant pay for
               ---------------
Shares purchased under this Plan by authorizing a guarantee by the Company of a
third-party loan to the Participant.

      9.  RESERVED.
          --------

     10.  WITHHOLDING TAXES.
          -----------------

          10.1  Withholding Generally.  Whenever Shares are to be issued in
                ---------------------
satisfaction of Awards granted under this Plan, the Company may require the
Participant to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal,
state and local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any
certificate or certificates for such Shares.  Whenever, under this Plan,
payments in satisfaction of Awards are to be made in cash, such payment will be
net of an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax
requirements.

          10.2  Stock Withholding.  When, under applicable tax laws, a
                -----------------
Participant incurs tax liability in connection with the exercise or vesting of
any Award that is subject to tax withholding and the Participant is obligated to
pay the Company the amount required to be withheld, the Committee may in its
sole discretion allow the Participant to satisfy the minimum withholding tax
obligation by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued
that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount
required to be withheld, determined on the date that the amount of tax to be
withheld is to be determined.  All elections by a Participant to have Shares
withheld for this purpose will be made in accordance with the requirements
established by the Committee and be in writing in a form acceptable to the
Committee.

     11.  TRANSFERABILITY.
          ---------------

          11.1  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11, Awards granted
under this Plan, and any interest therein, will not be transferable or
assignable by Participant, and may

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<PAGE>

not be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process, otherwise than
by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as determined by the
Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement with respect to Awards that are
not ISOs.

          11.2  All Awards other than NQSO's.  All Awards other than NQSO's
                ----------------------------
shall be exercisable: (i) during the Participant's lifetime, only by (A) the
Participant, or (B) the Participant's guardian or legal representative; and (ii)
after Participant's death, by the legal representative of the Participant's
heirs or legatees.

          11.3  NQSOs.  Unless otherwise restricted by the Committee, an NQSO
                -----
shall be exercisable: (i) during the Participant's lifetime only by (A) the
Participant, (B) the Participant's guardian or legal representative, (C) a
Family Member of the Participant who has acquired the NQSO by "permitted
transfer;" and (ii) after Participant's death, by the legal representative of
the Participant's heirs or legatees.  "Permitted transfer" means, as authorized
by this Plan and the Committee in an NQSO, any transfer effected by the
Participant during the Participant's lifetime of an interest in such NQSO but
only such transfers which are by gift or domestic relations order.  A permitted
transfer does not include any transfer for value and neither of the following
are transfers for value:  (a) a transfer of under a domestic relations order in
settlement of marital property rights or (b) a transfer to an entity in which
more than fifty percent of the voting interests are owned by Family Members or
the Participant in exchange for an interest in that entity.

     12.  PRIVILEGES OF STOCK OWNERSHIP; RESTRICTIONS ON SHARES.
          -----------------------------------------------------

          12.1  Voting and Dividends.  No Participant will have any of the
                --------------------
rights of a stockholder with respect to any Shares until the Shares are issued
to the Participant.  After Shares are issued to the Participant, the Participant
will be a stockholder and have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to
such Shares, including the right to vote and receive all dividends or other
distributions made or paid with respect to such Shares; provided, that if such
                                                        --------
Shares are Restricted Stock, then any new, additional or different securities
the Participant may become entitled to receive with respect to such Shares by
virtue of a stock dividend, stock split or any other change in the corporate or
capital structure of the Company will be subject to the same restrictions as the
Restricted Stock; provided, further, that the Participant will have no right to
                  --------  -------
retain such stock dividends or stock distributions with respect to Shares that
are repurchased at the Participant's Purchase Price or Exercise Price pursuant
to Section 12.

          12.2  Financial Statements.  The Company will provide financial
                --------------------
statements to each Participant prior to such Participant's purchase of Shares
under this Plan, and to each Participant annually during the period such
Participant has Awards outstanding; provided, however, the Company will not be
                                    --------  -------
required to provide such financial statements to Participants whose services in
connection with the Company assure them access to equivalent information.

          12.3  Restrictions on Shares.  At the discretion of the Committee, the
                ----------------------
Company may reserve to itself and/or its assignee(s) in the Award Agreement a
right to repurchase a portion of or all Unvested Shares held by a Participant
following such Participant's Termination at any time within ninety (90) days
after the later of Participant's Termination Date and the date

                                       9
<PAGE>

Participant purchases Shares under this Plan, for cash and/or cancellation of
purchase money indebtedness, at the Participant's Exercise Price or Purchase
Price, as the case may be.

     13.  CERTIFICATES.  All certificates for Shares or other securities
          ------------
delivered under this Plan will be subject to such stock transfer orders, legends
and other restrictions as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable,
including restrictions under any applicable federal, state or foreign securities
law, or any rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC or any stock
exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Shares may be listed or
quoted.

     14.  ESCROW; PLEDGE OF SHARES.  To enforce any restrictions on a
          ------------------------
Participant's Shares, the Committee may require the Participant to deposit all
certificates representing Shares, together with stock powers or other
instruments of transfer approved by the Committee, appropriately endorsed in
blank, with the Company or an agent designated by the Company to hold in escrow
until such restrictions have lapsed or terminated, and the Committee may cause a
legend or legends referencing such restrictions to be placed on the
certificates.  Any Participant who is permitted to execute a promissory note as
partial or full consideration for the purchase of Shares under this Plan will be
required to pledge and deposit with the Company all or part of the Shares so
purchased as collateral to secure the payment of Participant's obligation to the
Company under the promissory note; provided, however, that the Committee may
                                   --------  -------
require or accept other or additional forms of collateral to secure the payment
of such obligation and, in any event, the Company will have full recourse
against the Participant under the promissory note notwithstanding any pledge of
the Participant's Shares or other collateral.  In connection with any pledge of
the Shares, Participant will be required to execute and deliver a written pledge
agreement in such form as the Committee will from time to time approve.  The
Shares purchased with the promissory note may be released from the pledge on a
pro rata basis as the promissory note is paid.

     15.  EXCHANGE AND BUYOUT OF AWARDS.  The Committee may, at any time or from
          -----------------------------
time to time, authorize the Company, with the consent of the respective
Participants, to issue new Awards in exchange for the surrender and cancellation
of any or all outstanding Awards.  The Committee may at any time buy from a
Participant an Award previously granted with payment in cash, Shares (including
Restricted Stock) or other consideration, based on such terms and conditions as
the Committee and the Participant may agree.

     16.  SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.  An Award will not be
          ----------------------------------------------
effective unless such Award is in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws, rules and regulations of any governmental body, and the
requirements of any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the
Shares may then be listed or quoted, as they are in effect on the date of grant
of the Award and also on the date of exercise or other issuance.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan, the Company will have no
obligation to issue or deliver certificates for Shares under this Plan prior to:
(a) obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company
determines are necessary or advisable; and/or (b) completion of any registration
or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal law or ruling
of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or
advisable.  The Company will be under no obligation to register the Shares with
the SEC or to effect compliance with the registration, qualification or listing
requirements of any state

                                       10
<PAGE>

securities laws, stock exchange or automated quotation system, and the Company
will have no liability for any inability or failure to do so.

     17.  NO OBLIGATION TO EMPLOY.  Nothing in this Plan or any Award granted
          -----------------------
under this Plan will confer or be deemed to confer on any Participant any right
to continue in the employ of, or to continue any other relationship with, the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or limit in any way the right
of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to terminate
Participant's employment or other relationship at any time, with or without
cause.

     18.  CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
          ----------------------

          18.1  Assumption or Replacement of Awards by Successor.  In the event
                ------------------------------------------------
of (a) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (b) a merger or
consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than
a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, a reincorporation of
the Company in a different jurisdiction, or other transaction in which there is
no substantial change in the stockholders of the Company or their relative stock
holdings and the Awards granted under this Plan are assumed, converted or
replaced by the successor corporation, which assumption will be binding on all
Participants), (c) a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation
but after which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger
(other than any stockholder that merges, or which owns or controls another
corporation that merges, with the Company in such merger) cease to own their
shares or other equity interest in the Company, (d) the sale of substantially
all of the assets of the Company, or (e) the acquisition, sale, or transfer of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company by
tender offer or similar transaction, any or all outstanding Awards may be
assumed, converted or replaced by the successor or acquiring corporation (if
any), or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar
options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor
corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as
to the number and kind of shares and prices, which assumption, conversion or
replacement will be binding on all Participants.  In the alternative, the
successor or acquiring corporation may substitute equivalent Awards or provide
substantially similar consideration to Participants as was provided to
stockholders (after taking into account the existing provisions of the Awards).
The successor or acquiring corporation may also issue, in place of outstanding
Shares of the Company held by the Participants, substantially similar shares or
other property subject to repurchase restrictions no less favorable to the
Participant.  In the event such successor or acquiring corporation (if any)
refuses to assume or substitute Awards, as provided above, pursuant to a
transaction described in this Subsection 18.1, such Awards will expire on such
transaction at such time and on such conditions as the Committee will determine.
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Committee may, in its
sole discretion, provide that the vesting of any or all Awards granted pursuant
to this Plan will accelerate upon a transaction described in this Section 18.
If the Committee exercises such discretion with respect to Options, such Options
will become exercisable in full prior to the consummation of such event at such
time and on such conditions as the Committee determines, and if such Options are
not exercised prior to the consummation of the corporate transaction, they shall
terminate at such time as determined by the Committee.

                                       11
<PAGE>

          Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as soon as
practicable following the consummation of the Homestore Acquisition, this Plan
shall be assumed by Homestore.com and the then outstanding Awards under the Plan
shall be exchanged for options to purchase, shares of common stock of
Homestore.com as set forth in Section 6.12 of the Purchase Agreement.

          18.2  Other Treatment of Awards.  Subject to any greater rights
                -------------------------
granted to Participants under the foregoing provisions of this Section 18, in
the event of the occurrence of any transaction described in Section 18.1, any
outstanding Awards will be treated as provided in the applicable agreement or
plan of merger, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, or sale of assets.

          18.3  Assumption of Awards by the Company.  The Company, from time to
                -----------------------------------
time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another
company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or
otherwise, by either; (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of
such other company's award; or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted
under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award
granted under this Plan.  Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if
the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be
granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of
this Plan to such grant.  In the event the Company assumes an award granted by
another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged
(except that the exercise price and the number and nature of Shares issuable
-------
upon exercise of any such option will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to
Section 424(a) of the Code).  In the event the Company elects to grant a new
Option rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted
with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price.

          18.4  Effect of Homestore Acquisition.  Notwithstanding any other
                -------------------------------
provision in this Plan to the contrary, from and after the consummation of the
Homestore Acquisition, the following restrictions shall apply with respect to
the grant of Awards under this plan:

               (a)  ISOs may not be granted under this Plan; and

               (b)  Except as provided in the following sentence, no member of
                    the Board nor any Officer may be granted Awards under this
                    Plan.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, an Officer
                    may be granted an Award under this Plan if he or she is
                    granted such Award in connection with his or her initial
                    commencement of employment with the Company and such grant
                    is an essential inducement to his or her entering into a
                    contract of employment with the Company.

     19.  ADOPTION AND STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.  This Plan will become effective
          ---------------------------------
upon adoption by the Board (the "Effective Date").  This Plan shall be approved
by the stockholders of the Company (excluding Shares issued pursuant to this
Plan), consistent with applicable laws, within twelve (12) months before or
after the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.  Upon the Effective Date, the
Committee may grant Awards pursuant to this Plan; provided, however, that: (a)
                                                  --------  -------
no Option may be exercised prior to initial stockholder approval of

                                       12
<PAGE>

this Plan; (b) no Option granted pursuant to an increase in the number of Shares
subject to this Plan approved by the Board will be exercised prior to the time
such increase has been approved by the stockholders of the Company; (c) in the
event that initial stockholder approval is not obtained within the time period
provided herein, all Awards granted hereunder shall be cancelled, any Shares
issued pursuant to any Awards shall be cancelled and any purchase of Shares
issued hereunder shall be rescinded; and (d) in the event that stockholder
approval of such increase is not obtained within the time period provided
herein, all Awards granted pursuant to such increase will be cancelled, any
Shares issued pursuant to any Award granted pursuant to such increase will be
cancelled, and any purchase of Shares pursuant to such increase will be
rescinded.

     20.  TERM OF PLAN/GOVERNING LAW.  Unless earlier terminated as provided
          --------------------------
herein, this Plan will terminate ten (10) years from the date this Plan is
adopted by the Board or, if earlier, the date of stockholder approval.  This
Plan and all agreements thereunder shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut.

     21.  AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN.  The Board may at any time terminate
          --------------------------------
or amend this Plan in any respect, including without limitation amendment of any
form of Award Agreement or instrument to be executed pursuant to this Plan;
provided, however, that the Board will not, without the approval of the
--------  -------
stockholders of the Company, amend this plan in any manner that requires such
stockholder approval.

     22.  NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN.  Neither the adoption of this Plan by the
          --------------------------
Board, the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for
approval, nor any provision of this Plan will be construed as creating any
limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such additional compensation
arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the
granting of stock options and bonuses otherwise than under this Plan, and such
arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific
cases.

     23.  DEFINITIONS.  As used in this plan, the following terms will have the
          -----------
following meanings:

          "Award" means any award under this Plan, including any Option,
Restricted Stock or Stock Bonus.

          "Award Agreement" means, with respect to each Award, the signed
written agreement between the Company and the Participant setting forth the
terms and conditions of the Award.

          "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          "Cause" means the commission of an act of theft, embezzlement, fraud,
dishonesty or a breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or a Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company.

          "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board or, if no
such committee, the Board.

                                       13
<PAGE>

          "Company" means The Hessel Group, Inc. or any successor or acquiring
corporation.  Following the assumption of this Plan and outstanding Awards
hereunder pursuant to Section 18.1, "Company" shall mean Homestore.com, Inc.

          "Disability" means a disability, whether temporary or permanent,
partial or total, as determined by the Committee. For ISO purposes, "Disability"
means a disability within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3).

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          "Exercise Price" means the price at which a holder of an Option may
purchase the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option.

          "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of a share of the
Company's Common Stock determined as follows:

               (a)  if such Common Stock is then quoted on the Nasdaq National
                    Market, its closing price on the Nasdaq National Market on
                    the date of determination as reported in The Wall Street
                                                             ---------------
                    Journal;
                    -------

               (b)  if such Common Stock is publicly traded and is then listed
                    on a national securities exchange, its closing price on the
                    date of determination on the principal national securities
                    exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to
                    trading as reported in The Wall Street Journal;
                                           -----------------------

               (c)  if such Common Stock is publicly traded but is not quoted on
                    the Nasdaq National Market nor listed or admitted to trading
                    on a national securities exchange, the average of the
                    closing bid and asked prices on the date of determination as
                    reported in The Wall Street Journal;
                                -----------------------

               (d)  in the case of an Award made on the IPO Effective Date, the
                    price per share at which shares of the Company's Common
                    Stock are initially offered for sale to the public by the
                    Company's underwriters in the initial public offering of the
                    Company's Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement
                    filed with the SEC under the Securities Act;  or

               (e)  if none of the foregoing is applicable, by the Committee in
                    good faith.


          "Family Member" includes any of the following:

               (a)  child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent,
                    grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew,
                    mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
                    brother-in-law, or

                                       14
<PAGE>

                    sister-in-law of the Participant, including any such person
                    with such relationship to the Participant by adoption;

               (b)  any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the
                    Participant's household;

               (c)  a trust in which the persons in (a) and (b) have more than
                    fifty percent of the beneficial interest;

               (d)  a foundation in which the persons in (a) and (b) or the
                    Participant control the management of assets; or

               (e)  any other entity in which the persons in (a) and (b) or the
                    Participant own more than fifty percent of the voting
                    interest.


          "Homestore Acquisition" means the purchase of the outstanding shares
of the Company's Common Stock and the entire issued share capital of The Hessel
Group Limited by Homestore.com, Inc. and Homestore Mobility Technologies, Inc.
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

          "Insider" means an officer or director of the Company or any other
person whose transactions in the Company's Common Stock are subject to Section
16 of the Exchange Act.

          "Officer" means a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman of the
Board, Vice President, Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of the
Company, as such positions are described in the Company's Bylaws, any other
person designated an "officer" of the Company by the Board in accordance with
the Company's Bylaws or any person who is an "officer" within the meaning of
Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act or Nasdaq Rule 4460(i).

          "Option" means an award of an option to purchase Shares pursuant to
Section 5.

          "Parent" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken
chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of such corporations other
than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

          "Participant" means a person who receives an Award under this Plan.

          "Performance Factors" means the factors selected by the Committee from
among the following measures to determine whether the performance goals
established by the Committee and applicable to Awards have been satisfied:

               (a)  Net revenue and/or net revenue growth;

               (b)  Earnings before income taxes and amortization and/or
                    earnings before income taxes and amortization growth;

               (c)  Operating income and/or operating income growth;

                                       15
<PAGE>

               (d)  Net income and/or net income growth;

               (e)  Earnings per share and/or earnings per share growth;

               (f)  Total stockholder return and/or total stockholder return
                    growth;

               (g)  Return on equity;

               (h)  Operating cash flow return on income;

               (i)  Adjusted operating cash flow return on income;

               (j)  Economic value added; and

               (k)  Individual confidential business objectives.


          "Performance Period" means the period of service determined by the
Committee, not to exceed five years, during which years of service or
performance is to be measured for Restricted Stock Awards or Stock Bonuses.

          "Plan" means this Hessel 2000 Stock Option Plan, as amended from time
to time.

          "Purchase Agreement" means that certain Purchase Agreement by and
among Homestore.com, Inc., Homestore Mobility Technologies, Inc., The Hessel
Group, Inc., The Hessel Group Limited and certain shareholders of the Company,
expected to be entered into as of September 8, 2000.

          "Restricted Stock Award" means an award of Shares pursuant to Section
6.

          "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          "Shares" means shares of the Company's Voting Common Stock reserved
for issuance under this Plan, as adjusted pursuant to Sections 2 and 18, and any
successor security.

          "Stock Bonus" means an award of Shares, or cash in lieu of Shares,
pursuant to Section 7.

          "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the
corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock
possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

          "Termination" or "Terminated" means, for purposes of this Plan with
respect to a Participant, that the Participant has for any reason ceased to
provide services as an employee, officer, director, consultant, independent
contractor, or advisor to the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
An employee will not be deemed to have ceased to provide services in the case of
(i) sick leave, (ii) military leave, or (iii) any other leave of absence
approved by the Committee, provided, that such leave is for a period of not more
than 90 days, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is
guaranteed by contract or statute or unless provided otherwise pursuant to
formal policy adopted from time to time by the Company and

                                       16
<PAGE>

issued and promulgated to employees in writing. In the case of any employee on
an approved leave of absence, the Committee may make such provisions respecting
suspension of vesting of the Award while on leave from the employ of the Company
or a Subsidiary as it may deem appropriate, except that in no event may an
Option be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth in the Option
agreement. The Committee will have sole discretion to determine whether a
Participant has ceased to provide services and the effective date on which the
Participant ceased to provide services (the "Termination Date").

          "Unvested Shares" means "Unvested Shares" as defined in the Award
Agreement.

          "Vested Shares" means "Vested Shares" as defined in the Award
Agreement.

                                       17


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