Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sale of residential units	$ 200,650	$ 168,591	$ 50,105
Cost of residential units	(149,365)	(122,616)	(39,642)
Gross profit on sale of residential units	51,285	45,975	10,463
Sale of land and lots	45,452	33,735	22,927
Cost of land and lots	(34,082)	(21,513)	(15,256)
Gross profit on sale of land and lots	11,370	12,222	7,671
Salary expense	(14,868)	(10,251)	(3,790)
Management fees expense – related party	(1,266)	(1,016)	(581)
Selling, general and administrative expense	(10,099)	(6,623)	(3,312)
Interest expense	(1,393)	(315)	(351)
Depreciation and amortization expense	(735)	(292)	(53)
Interest and fees income	265	2,503	6,217
Interest on direct financing leases income	781	1,039	907
Profit participation on notes receivable	0	597	2,559
Other income, net	869	804	1,213
Operating and nonoperating income (loss)	(26,446)	(13,554)	2,809
Net income before taxes	36,209	44,643	20,943
Income tax (benefit) provision	(24,853)	327	231
Net income	61,062	44,316	20,712
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11,036	12,309	3,518
Net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc.	$ 50,026	$ 32,007	$ 17,194
Net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.40	$ 2.88	$ 1.55
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.40	$ 2.88	$ 1.55
Weighted average common shares used in the calculation of net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in shares)	14,712	11,109	11,109
Diluted (in shares)	14,712	11,109	11,109