Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 250,911	$ 208,875	$ 170,994	$ 131,125	$ 176,786	$ 141,624	$ 137,444	$ 110,570	$ 566,424	$ 761,905		$ 616,377
Land and housing									467,130	610,540		511,408
Impairment of inventory and investment in Unconsolidated LLCs									21,993	3,502		12,538
General and administrative									52,664	62,627		53,958
Selling									43,534	56,406		48,084
Interest									15,005	16,071	15,005	9,415
Other loss										0	0	8,378
Total costs and expenses									600,326	749,146		643,781
Income (loss) before income taxes									(33,902)	12,759	(33,902)	(27,404)
Benefit for income taxes									(25)	(588)	(25)	(1,135)
Net income (loss)	$ 5,015	$ 8,314	$ 3,204	$ (3,186)	$ (2,976)	$ (4,718)	$ (9,144)	$ (17,039)	$ (33,877)	$ 13,347	$ (33,877)	$ (26,269)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ 0.23	$ 0.43	$ 0.17	$ (0.17)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.49)	$ (0.92)	$ (1.81)	$ 0.68	$ (1.81)	$ (1.42)
Diluted	$ 0.23	$ 0.42	$ 0.17	$ (0.17)	$ (0.16)	$ (0.25)	$ (0.49)	$ (0.92)	$ (1.81)	$ 0.67	$ (1.81)	$ (1.42)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	21,545	19,434	18,833	18,772	18,736	18,728	18,711	18,615	18,698	19,651	18,698	18,523
Diluted	21,961	20,273	19,031	18,772	18,736	18,728	18,711	18,615	18,698	19,891	18,698	18,523