Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Summary of Financial Information of Investment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Cash	$ 11,507		$ 11,507		$ 3,981
Accounts receivable	73		73		1,494
Inventory	57,967		57,967		57,841
Goodwill	4,615		4,615		4,615
Noncompete intangible asset	173		173		202
Other assets	5,503		5,503		5,098
Total assets	79,838		79,838		73,231
Liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,428		3,428		5,060
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,899		4,899		2,857
Notes payable	37,971		37,971		36,923
Total liabilities	46,298		46,298		44,840
Owners' equity:
Green Brick	19,148		19,148		16,592
Others	14,392		14,392		11,799
Total owners' equity	33,540		33,540		28,391
Total liabilities and owners' equity	79,838		79,838		$ 73,231
Statements of Income
Revenues	43,953	$ 0	76,952	$ 0
Costs and expenses	39,099	0	69,020	0
Net earnings of unconsolidated entities	4,854	0	7,932	0
Company's share in net earnings of unconsolidated entities	$ 2,279	$ 0	$ 3,815	$ 0