Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)	48,955,909
Beginning balance	$ 401,485
Share-based compensation	71
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	1,770
AmortizationofDeferredStockCompensationAmount	72
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock awards	(586)
Contributions	88
Distributions	(4,597)
Net income	$ 8,226	$ 4,490
Ending balance (shares)	49,069,522
Ending balance	$ 406,529
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	16,913
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock awards	0
Contributions	88
Distributions	(4,597)
Net income	2,029
Ending balance	14,433
Total Green Brick Partners, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	384,572
Share-based compensation	71
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	1,770
AmortizationofDeferredStockCompensationAmount	72
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock awards	(586)
Distributions	0
Net income	6,197
Ending balance	$ 392,096
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)	48,955,909
Beginning balance	$ 490
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	176,670
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	$ 2
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock awards (in shares)	(63,057)
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock awards	$ (1)
Ending balance (shares)	49,069,522
Ending balance	$ 491
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	273,149
Share-based compensation	71
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	1,768
AmortizationofDeferredStockCompensationAmount	72
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock awards	(585)
Ending balance	274,475
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	110,933
Withholdings from vesting of restricted stock awards	0
Distributions	0
Net income	6,197
Ending balance	$ 117,130

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Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Contributions

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Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Distributions

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The amount of adjustment to stockholders' equity associated with an employee's income tax withholding obligation as part of a net-share settlement of a share-based award.

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This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized). Alternate captions include the words "stock-based compensation".

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Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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For net-share settlement of share-based awards when the employer settles employees' income tax withholding obligations, this element represents the number of shares the employees use to repay the employer.

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No definition available.

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Number of shares (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of any shares forfeited. Shares issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

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Value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of stock value of such awards forfeited. Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

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Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

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