Investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures - Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 31,304	$ 33,683
Restricted cash	16,176	8,374
Real estate inventories	407,239	386,487
Other assets	1,922	1,664
Total assets	456,641	430,208
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	28,109	28,706
Notes Payable	106,111	97,664
Liabilities	134,220	126,370
The Company's equity	49,226	46,857
Other partners' equity	273,195	256,981
Total equity	322,421	303,838
Total liabilities and equity	$ 456,641	$ 430,208
Ratio of indebtedness to capital of equity method investments	24.80%	24.30%
Ratio of indebtedness to equity	32.90%	32.10%