Note 15 - Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue									$ 669,349	$ 667,566	$ 751,166
Pretax income (loss)	$ (6,952)	$ (4,778)	$ 2,565	$ (2,651)	$ (22,376)	$ 3,400	$ 182	$ (1,511)	(11,816)	(20,305)	32,531
Total assets	603,189				696,097				603,189	696,097
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Total assets	93,583				47,206				93,583	47,206
Home Building Segment [Member]
Total assets	498,413				638,012				498,413	638,012
Fee Building Segment [Member]
Total assets	11,193				10,879				11,193	10,879
California 1 [Member] | Home Building Segment [Member]
Pretax income (loss)									(3,600)	(10,000)	(2,200)
Total assets	416,179				551,807				416,179	551,807
Arizona 1 [Member] | Home Building Segment [Member]
Pretax income (loss)									(6,600)
Total assets	82,234				86,205				82,234	86,205
Home Building [Member]
Revenue	173,921	118,781	140,464	99,186	187,258	119,874	117,460	79,437	532,352	504,029	560,842
Pretax income (loss)									(13,868)	(24,706)	27,034
Home Building [Member] | California 1 [Member]
Revenue									472,242	504,029	560,842
Pretax income (loss)									(5,724)	(19,594)	27,881
Home Building [Member] | Arizona 1 [Member]
Revenue									60,110	0	0
Pretax income (loss)									(8,144)	(5,112)	(847)
Land [Member]
Revenue	17,091	24,573	0	0					41,664	0	0
Land [Member] | California 1 [Member]
Revenue									41,664	0	0
Homebuilding and Land [Member]
Revenue									574,016	504,029	560,842
Construction [Member]
Revenue	$ 31,124	$ 22,262	$ 22,285	$ 19,662	$ 42,408	$ 39,240	$ 38,095	$ 43,794	95,333	163,537	190,324
Pretax income (loss)									$ 2,052	$ 4,401	$ 5,497