Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	$ 4,073	$ 2,675
Inventory	517,883	464,097
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	10,904	10,357
Other Combined Assets	137,900	187,356
TOTAL ASSETS	670,760	664,485
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	840	252
Inventory	202,475	200,760
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	5,232	5,157
Other Combined Assets	6,972	3,865
TOTAL ASSETS	215,519	210,034
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	1,250	1,516
Inventory	113,837	89,586
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	5,672	5,200
Other Combined Assets	4,531	2,858
TOTAL ASSETS	125,290	99,160
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	1,983	907
Inventory	201,571	173,751
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0
Other Combined Assets	9,267	9,861
TOTAL ASSETS	212,821	184,519
Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0
Other Combined Assets	117,130	170,772
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 117,130	$ 170,772