Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Statement of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 170,994	$ 137,444	$ 302,119	$ 248,014
Land and housing	137,111	114,043	244,441	206,617
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs	472	5,445	567	16,316
General and administrative	13,826	12,766	26,283	24,168
Selling	12,825	10,754	23,836	19,408
Interest	3,461	3,465	8,067	7,500
Total costs and expenses	167,695	146,473	303,194	274,009
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,299	(9,029)	(1,075)	(25,995)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	95	115	(1,093)	188
Net income (loss)	$ 3,204	$ (9,144)	$ 18	$ (26,183)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ 0.17	$ (0.49)	$ 0.00	$ (1.40)
Diluted	$ 0.17	$ (0.49)	$ 0.00	$ (1.40)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding [Abstract]
Basic	18,833	18,711	18,803	18,663
Diluted	19,031	18,711	18,998	18,663