Basis of Financial Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Part One (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 18, 2013	Jun. 19, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Deemed Dividend from Beneficial Conversion Feature			$ (0.75)		$ 0.75
Common stock par value (in dollars per share)				$ 1	$ 1
TPG's aggregate investment in AV homes		$ 135,000,000
Issuances of restricted stock units and stock units	11,900,000
Restricted cash				16,447,000	3,956,000
Impairment charges				0	(281,000)	57,408,000
Impairment of Real Estate				1,000,000	1,000,000
Income tax refunds				0	1,300,000
Assets Held-for-sale, at Carrying Value				20,600,000	4,200,000
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets				27,200,000	7,400,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets				6,600,000	3,200,000
Land Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives				10 years
Land Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives				25 years
Building and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives				8 years
Building and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives				39 years
Machinery, Equipment and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives				3 years
Machinery, Equipment and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives				7 years
Wells Fargo Deposit Account [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Restricted cash				16,100,000
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares agreed to sell (shares)		2,557,474
Common stock par value (in dollars per share)		$ 1.00
Sales price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 14.65
Conversion of stock shares issued (in shares)	6,657,543
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares agreed to sell (shares)		665,754
Sales price per share (in dollars per share)		$ 146.50
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)		$ 0.10
Conversion of stock shares converted (in shares)	6,657,543
Transaction fees	7,200,000
Land Developed and or Held for Future Development or Sale [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Impairment of Real Estate					700,000
Multi-Family Property in Arizona [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets				13,900,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets				$ 2,300,000