Stockholders' Equity (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) shares
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares) | shares	50,598,901
Beginning balance	$ 433,038
Share-based compensation	215
Issuance of common stock under 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	669
Amortization of deferred share-based compensation	301
Common stock issued in connection with the investment in Challenger Homes	0
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(115)
Distributions	(10,746)
Net income	$ 46,832
Ending balance (in shares) | shares	50,719,884
Ending balance	$ 470,194
Total Green Brick Partners, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	416,347
Share-based compensation	215
Issuance of common stock under 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	669
Amortization of deferred share-based compensation	301
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(115)
Net income	38,269
Ending balance	$ 455,686
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares) | shares	50,598,901
Beginning balance	$ 506
Issuance of common stock under 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares) | shares	100,983
Issuance of common stock under 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	$ 1
Common stock issued in connection with the investment in Challenger Homes (in shares) | shares	20,000
Ending balance (in shares) | shares	50,719,884
Ending balance	$ 507
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	289,938
Share-based compensation	215
Issuance of common stock under 2014 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	668
Amortization of deferred share-based compensation	301
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(115)
Ending balance	291,007
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	125,903
Net income	38,269
Ending balance	164,172
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	16,691
Net income	8,563
Ending balance	$ 14,508