Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net income	$ 17,141	$ 20,926	$ 21,378
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Deferred taxes	(1,073)	(918)	(1,675)
Noncash deferred tax asset charge	3,190	0	0
Amortization of equity based compensation	2,803	3,471	3,884
Excess income tax provision/(benefit) from stock-based compensation	0	97	(97)
Inventory impairments	2,200	3,500	0
Abandoned project costs	383	580	635
Gain from notes payable principal reduction	0	(250)	0
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	1,588	3,742	18,477
Equity in net income of unconsolidated joint ventures	(866)	(7,691)	(13,767)
Deferred profit from unconsolidated joint ventures	821	646	(1,603)
Depreciation and amortization	449	511	473
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	161	396	(97)
Contracts and accounts receivable	4,670	(3,737)	(10,796)
Due from affiliates	18	(344)	1,683
Real estate inventories	(114,930)	(71,388)	(65,942)
Other assets	(5,255)	(756)	(3,651)
Accounts payable	(9,546)	6,171	9,790
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	7,544	2,921	8,712
Due to affiliates	0	(293)	293
Net cash used in operating activities	(90,702)	(42,416)	(32,303)
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(195)	(439)	(418)
Cash assumed from joint venture at consolidation	995	2,009	0
Contributions and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	(27,479)	(15,088)	(15,028)
Distributions of capital and repayment of advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	15,577	15,307	32,026
Interest collected on advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	552	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(10,550)	1,789	16,580
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	0	47,253
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	0	(725)	(2,411)
Borrowings from credit facility	88,000	223,050	99,450
Repayments of credit facility	(206,000)	(179,974)	(125,000)
Proceeds from senior notes	324,465	0	0
Borrowings from other notes payable	0	343	3,552
Repayments of other notes payable	(4,110)	(15,636)	(5,171)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(7,565)	(1,064)	0
Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for stock awards	(590)	(648)	(248)
Excess income tax (provision)/benefit from stock-based compensation	0	(97)	97
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	102	0	17
Net cash provided by financing activities	194,302	25,249	17,539
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	93,050	(15,378)	1,816
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year	30,496	45,874	44,058
Cash and cash equivalents – end of year	$ 123,546	$ 30,496	$ 45,874