Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	$ 8,727	$ 2,675
Inventory	548,090	464,097
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs	11,732	10,357
Other Combined Assets	262,751	187,356
TOTAL ASSETS	831,300	664,485
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	1,462	252
Inventory	196,554	200,760
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs	5,121	5,157
Other Combined Assets	4,421	3,865
TOTAL ASSETS	207,558	210,034
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	4,612	1,516
Inventory	157,302	89,586
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs	6,611	5,200
Other Combined Assets	8,436	2,858
TOTAL ASSETS	176,961	99,160
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	2,653	907
Inventory	194,234	173,751
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0
Other Combined Assets	7,759	9,861
TOTAL ASSETS	204,646	184,519
Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Investment in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0
Other Combined Assets	242,135	170,772
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 242,135	$ 170,772