Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs			$ 0		$ 1,029
Total valuation adjustments and write-offs	697	5,487	823	16,616
Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	10	232	10	4,864
Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	462	4,234	462	9,833
Impairment of Land Held for Sale [Member]
Impairment of land held for sale	0	0	95	590
Option Deposits and Pre-Acquisition Write-Offs [Member]
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs	225	42	256	300
Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	979	0	1,029
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	10	114	10	2,982
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	462	4,234	462	6,378
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Land Held for Sale [Member]
Impairment of land held for sale	0	0	95	0
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Option Deposits and Pre-Acquisition Write-Offs [Member]
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs	34	1	36	22
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	979	0	979
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	101	0	1,865
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	0	0	0	3,455
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Land Held for Sale [Member]
Impairment of land held for sale	0	0	0	590
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Option Deposits and Pre-Acquisition Write-Offs [Member]
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs	103	29	110	37
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0	0	50
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	17	0	17
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	0	0	0	0
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Land Held for Sale [Member]
Impairment of land held for sale	0	0	0	0
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Option Deposits and Pre-Acquisition Write-Offs [Member]
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs	88	12	110	241
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0