Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:	$ 390	$ 1,029
Total impairments and write-offs of option deposits and pre-acquisition costs	3,758	22,967	13,158
Impairment of operating communities:
Impairment of operating communities:	285	9,934	4,570
Impairment of future communities:
Impairment of future communities:	2,732	10,440	7,261
Impairment of land held for sale:
Impairment of land held for sale:	95	590	675
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:	256	974	620
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:	390	1,029	32
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of operating communities:
Impairment of operating communities:	285	5,493	828
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of future communities:
Impairment of future communities:	2,732	6,985	2,837
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of land held for sale:
Impairment of land held for sale:	95	0	0
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:	36	441	198
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:	390	979	0
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of operating communities:
Impairment of operating communities:	0	2,608	621
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of future communities:
Impairment of future communities:	0	3,455	3,134
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of land held for sale:
Impairment of land held for sale:	0	590	587
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:	110	89	160
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:	0	50	32
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of operating communities:
Impairment of operating communities:	0	1,833	3,121
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of future communities:
Impairment of future communities:	0	0	1,290
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of land held for sale:
Impairment of land held for sale:	0	0	88
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs:	110	444	262
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs:	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0