Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	$ 6,204	$ 2,675
Inventory	537,667	464,097
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	11,256	10,357
Other Combined Assets	262,165	187,356
TOTAL ASSETS	817,292	664,485
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	1,274	252
Inventory	203,947	200,760
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	5,255	5,157
Other Combined Assets	5,710	3,865
TOTAL ASSETS	216,186	210,034
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	2,675	1,516
Inventory	126,524	89,586
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	6,001	5,200
Other Combined Assets	4,434	2,858
TOTAL ASSETS	139,634	99,160
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	2,255	907
Inventory	207,196	173,751
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0
Other Combined Assets	11,044	9,861
TOTAL ASSETS	220,495	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	240,977	170,772
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 240,977	$ 170,772