Business Segments Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 170,994	$ 137,444	$ 302,119	$ 248,014
Operating Income (Loss)	6,760	(5,564)	6,992	(18,495)
Interest	3,461	3,465	8,067	7,500
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,299	(9,029)	(1,075)	(25,995)
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	63,026	58,878	119,979	109,350
Operating Income (Loss)	3,961	(3,669)	5,072	(8,289)
Interest	1,211	1,440	2,937	3,321
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	43,499	31,900	72,572	48,836
Operating Income (Loss)	2,808	(58)	3,693	(6,692)
Interest	743	661	1,545	1,197
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	59,545	43,371	100,328	83,333
Operating Income (Loss)	3,248	1,857	3,709	3,050
Interest	1,196	1,193	2,906	2,541
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	4,924	3,295	9,240	6,495
Operating Income (Loss)	2,210	1,612	4,646	3,234
Interest	311	171	679	441
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ (5,467)	$ (5,306)	$ (10,128)	$ (9,798)