Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net income	$ 42,050	$ 16,989	$ 1,779
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock based compensation	2,053	970	1,137
Deferred income taxes	14,426	8,239	1,670
Payable under the tax receivable agreement	3,890	(813)	(1,889)
Depreciation and amortization:
Property and equipment	1,730	1,263	1,444
Intangibles	2,888	2,393	2,079
Gain on sale or disposition or impairment of assets	(8,918)	(5,713)	(4,966)
Mortgage service rights assumed	(1,932)	(993)	(762)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights	5,344	3,093	2,030
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in:
Restricted cash		63	47
Accounts receivable	(382)	(460)	416
Payable to/(receivable from) affiliate	(204)	(73)	(38)
Payable under the tax receivable agreement	(6,289)		(2,258)
Deferred taxes, net			(1)
Mortgage notes receivable	(79,855)	(35,794)	(22,500)
Net borrowings on warehouse line of credit	79,855	35,794	22,500
Prepaid taxes, prepaid expenses and other current assets	(935)	151	5,213
Other noncurrent assets	(593)	(292)	47
Accrued compensation and related taxes	15,452	9,011	(209)
Accounts payable	599	205	371
Other accrued liabilities	3,862	646	406
Other long-term liabilities	618	(370)	(657)
Net cash provided by operating activities	73,659	34,309	5,860
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,003)	(357)	(47)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,003)	(357)	(47)
Financing activities
Payments on long-term debt	(234)	(260)	(173)
Treasury stock	(94)	(223)	(173)
Distributions to members' and noncontrolling interest holder	(2,904)	(1,061)	(1,564)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,232)	(1,544)	(1,910)
Net increase in cash	68,424	32,408	3,903
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	73,339	40,931	37,028
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	141,763	73,339	40,931
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid for income taxes	3,545	52	104
Cash paid for interest	1,997	1,374	2,413
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
Property acquired under capital leases	$ 491	$ 227	$ 292