Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sale of residential units	$ 49,661	$ 49,636
Cost of residential units	(35,814)	(37,392)
Gross profit on sale of residential units	13,847	12,244
Sale of land and lots	8,791	13,373
Cost of land and lots	(6,278)	(9,768)
Gross profit on sale of land and lots	2,513	3,605
Salary expense	(4,862)	(3,155)
Management fees expense – related party	0	(380)
Selling, general and administrative expense	(2,939)	(2,281)
Interest expense	(281)	(199)
Depreciation and amortization expense	(227)	(108)
Interest and fees income	0	150
Interest on direct financing leases income	13	225
Other income, net	331	53
Operating and nonoperating income (loss)	(7,965)	(5,695)
Net income before taxes	8,395	10,154
Income tax provision	2,207	338
Net income	6,188	9,816
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,170	2,467
Net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc.	$ 4,018	$ 7,349
Net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.66
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.66
Weighted average common shares used in the calculation of net income attributable to Green Brick Partners, Inc. per common share:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding —basic	31,346	11,109
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding —diluted	31,346	11,109