Note 3 - Segment Reporting (Details) - Total Assets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 2,596,561	$ 2,595,449
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | West [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	846,832	760,450
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Mountain [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	500,365	418,796
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | East [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	333,174	297,627
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	809,298	951,809
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,489,669	2,428,682
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Mortgage Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	66,206	99,065
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Other Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	40,686	67,702
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	106,892	166,767
Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	2,489,669	2,428,682
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 106,892	$ 166,767