Business Segments Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Of Valuation Adjustments And Write Offs	$ 900	$ 126
Revenue	190,727	131,125
Operating Income (Loss)	9,226	232
Interest	4,340	4,606
Income (loss) before income taxes	4,886	(4,374)
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Of Valuation Adjustments And Write Offs	900	97
Homebuilding revenue	60,702	56,953
Operating Income (Loss)	2,201	1,111
Interest	1,474	1,726
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Of Valuation Adjustments And Write Offs	0	7
Homebuilding revenue	50,961	29,072
Operating Income (Loss)	3,091	885
Interest	1,304	802
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Of Valuation Adjustments And Write Offs	0	22
Homebuilding revenue	70,654	40,784
Operating Income (Loss)	4,345	461
Interest	1,244	1,710
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	8,410	4,316
Operating Income (Loss)	5,455	2,436
Interest	318	368
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ (5,866)	$ (4,661)