Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (14,230)	$ 17,141	$ 20,926
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Deferred taxes	(7,620)	(1,073)	(918)
Noncash deferred tax asset charge	0	3,190	0
Amortization of stock-based compensation	3,090	2,803	3,471
Excess income tax provision from stock-based compensation	0	0	97
Inventory impairments	10,000	2,200	3,500
Abandoned project costs	206	383	580
Gain from notes payable principal reduction	0	0	(250)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	715	1,588	3,742
Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures	19,653	(866)	(7,691)
Deferred profit from unconsolidated joint ventures	136	821	646
Depreciation and amortization	6,631	449	511
Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Contracts and accounts receivable	4,959	4,670	(3,737)
Due from affiliates	(242)	18	(344)
Real estate inventories	(157,705)	(114,930)	(71,388)
Other assets	(11,642)	(5,255)	(756)
Accounts payable	15,669	(9,546)	6,171
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(9,305)	7,544	2,921
Due to affiliates	0	0	(293)
Net cash used in operating activities	(139,685)	(90,863)	(42,812)
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(246)	(195)	(439)
Cash assumed from joint venture at consolidation	0	995	2,610
Contributions and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	(15,066)	(27,479)	(15,088)
Distributions of capital and repayment of advances from unconsolidated joint ventures	15,436	15,577	15,307
Interest collected on advances to unconsolidated joint ventures	178	552	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	302	(10,550)	2,390
Financing activities:
Cash distributions to non-controlling interest in subsidiary	0	0	(725)
Borrowings from credit facility	150,000	88,000	223,050
Repayments of credit facility	(82,500)	(206,000)	(179,974)
Proceeds from senior notes	0	324,465	0
Borrowings from other notes payable	0	0	343
Repayments of other notes payable		(4,110)	(15,636)
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	(7,565)	(1,064)
Repurchase of common stock	(8,563)	0	0
Tax withholding paid on behalf of employees for stock awards	(982)	(590)	(648)
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	0	(97)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	102	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	57,955	194,302	25,249
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(81,428)	92,889	(15,173)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of period	123,970	31,081	46,254
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of period	$ 42,542	$ 123,970	$ 31,081