Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs			$ 0		$ 1,029
Total valuation adjustments and write-offs	1,309	1,837	2,132	18,453
Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	1,556	10	6,420
Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	1,309	141	1,771	9,974
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	0	140	256	440
Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0	0	1,029
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	962	10	3,944
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	1,309	141	1,771	6,519
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	0	121	36	143
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0	0	979
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	594	0	2,459
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	0	19	110	56
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	0	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	0	0	110	241
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0