Note 15 - Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues									$ 507,411	$ 669,349	$ 667,566
Loss before taxes of taxable entities	$ (1,349)	$ 1,528	$ (41,222)	$ (18,413)	$ (6,952)	$ (4,778)	$ 2,565	$ (2,651)	(59,456)	(11,816)	(20,305)
Total assets	495,699				603,189				495,699	603,189
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Total assets	126,146				93,583				126,146	93,583
Home Building Segment [Member]
Total assets	365,797				498,413				365,797	498,413
Fee Building Segment [Member]
Total assets	3,756				11,193				3,756	11,193
California 1 [Member] | Home Building Segment [Member]
Loss before taxes of taxable entities									(17,800)	(3,600)	(10,000)
Total assets	295,340				416,179				295,340	416,179
Arizona 1 [Member] | Home Building Segment [Member]
Loss before taxes of taxable entities									(1,200)	(6,600)
Total assets	70,457				82,234				70,457	82,234
Home Building [Member]
Revenues	135,409	117,426	77,757	95,659	173,921	118,781	140,464	99,186	426,251	532,352	504,029
Loss before taxes of taxable entities									(60,876)	(13,868)	(24,706)
Home Building [Member] | California 1 [Member]
Revenues									383,536	472,242	504,029
Loss before taxes of taxable entities									(35,609)	(5,724)	(19,594)
Home Building [Member] | Arizona 1 [Member]
Revenues									42,715	60,110	0
Loss before taxes of taxable entities									(25,267)	(8,144)	(5,112)
Land [Member]
Revenues			10	147	17,091	24,573			157	41,664
Land [Member] | California 1 [Member]
Revenues									157	41,664	0
Homebuilding and Land [Member]
Revenues									426,408	574,016	504,029
Construction [Member]
Revenues	$ 10,165	$ 13,418	$ 21,193	$ 36,227	$ 31,124	$ 22,262	$ 22,285	$ 19,662	81,003	95,333	163,537
Loss before taxes of taxable entities									$ 1,420	$ 2,052	$ 4,401