Basis of Financial Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Part One (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended										0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 18, 2013	Jun. 19, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 Land Improvements [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Land Improvements [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Building and Improvements [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Building and Improvements [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Machinery, Equipment and Fixtures [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Machinery, Equipment and Fixtures [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Wells Fargo Deposit Account [Member]	Sep. 18, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Jun. 19, 2013 Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 18, 2013 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Jun. 19, 2013 Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Homes Completed or Under Construction [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Homes Completed or Under Construction [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Homes Completed or Under Construction [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Land Developed and or Held for Future Development or Sale [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Land Developed and or Held for Future Development or Sale [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Land Developed and or Held for Future Development or Sale [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares agreed to sell (shares)															2,557,474		665,754
Common stock par value (in dollars per share)			$ 1	$ 1	$ 1										$ 1.00
Sales price per share (in dollars per share)															$ 14.65		$ 146
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)			$ 0.10	$ 0.10													$ 0.10
TPG's aggregate investment in AV homes		$ 135,000
Conversion of stock shares converted (in shares)																6,657,543
Conversion of stock shares issued (in shares)														6,657,543
Transaction fees																7,212
Beneficial conversion feature	11,894
Restricted cash			3,956	3,956	4,682								3,622
Land escrow accounts			112	112
Housing deposits			222	222
Impairment charges			677	(281)	49,749	107,981												45	33	1,635	677
Impairment of Real Estate				(958)																		677	49,749
Build out of our active adult and primary residential communities backlog minimum				5 years
Expected refund period				1 year
Income tax receivable			0	0	1,293
Income tax refunds				$ 1,293	$ 0
Estimated useful lives							10 years	25 years	8 years	39 years	3 years	7 years