Note 15 - Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues	$ 98,960	$ 162,749	$ 230,993	$ 281,597
Pretax income (loss)	(41,222)	2,565	(59,635)	(86)
Total assets	541,594		541,594		$ 603,189
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Total assets	93,213		93,213		93,583
Home Building Segment [Member]
Total assets	443,889		443,889		498,413
Fee Building Segment [Member]
Total assets	4,492		4,492		11,193
California 1 [Member] | Home Building Segment [Member]
Pretax income (loss)	17,800
Total assets	379,199		379,199		416,179
Arizona 1 [Member] | Home Building Segment [Member]
Pretax income (loss)	1,200
Total assets	64,690		64,690		$ 82,234
Home Building [Member]
Revenues	77,757	140,464	173,416	239,650
Pretax income (loss)	(41,430)	2,050	(60,573)	(995)
Home Building [Member] | California 1 [Member]
Revenues	71,597	132,830	154,877	216,162
Pretax income (loss)	(38,238)	2,846	(42,689)	279
Home Building [Member] | Arizona 1 [Member]
Revenues	6,160	7,634	18,539	23,488
Pretax income (loss)	(3,192)	(796)	(17,884)	(1,274)
Land [Member]
Revenues	10	0	157	0
Land [Member] | California 1 [Member]
Revenues	10	0	157	0
Homebuilding and Land [Member]
Revenues	77,767	140,464	173,573	239,650
Construction [Member]
Revenues	21,193	22,285	57,420	41,947
Pretax income (loss)	$ 208	$ 515	$ 938	$ 909