Fair Value Measurements Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
LIABILITIES:
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017	$ 57,500	$ 57,500
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2018	86,250	0
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
ASSETS:
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	272,551	154,178
Mortgage loans held for sale	57,721	71,121
Split dollar life insurance policies	725	710
Notes receivable	4,565	8,787
Commitments to extend real estate loans	194	1
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities	0	253
LIABILITIES:
Note payable - banks	53,126	67,957
Mortgage notes payable	10,316	11,105
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017	57,500	57,500
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2018	86,250	0
Senior Notes	227,770	227,670
Best efforts contracts for committed IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale	126	3
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities	77	0
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Carying Value, Liability - Letters of Credit	0	0
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
ASSETS:
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	272,551	154,178
Mortgage loans held for sale	57,721	71,121
Split dollar life insurance policies	700	678
Notes receivable	3,758	7,460
Commitments to extend real estate loans	194	1
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities	0	253
LIABILITIES:
Note payable - banks	53,126	67,957
Mortgage notes payable	10,449	11,148
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017	72,234	74,175
Convertible senior subordinated notes due 2018	88,838	0
Senior Notes	255,300	250,700
Best efforts contracts for committed IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale	126	3
Forward sales of mortgage-backed securities	77	0
Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Fair Value, Liability - Letters of credit	$ 471	$ 493