Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	$ 10,530	$ 8,727
Inventory	567,109	548,090
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	22,275	11,732
Other Combined Assets	368,738	262,751
TOTAL ASSETS	968,652	831,300
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	2,005	1,462
Inventory	198,812	196,554
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	5,630	5,121
Other Combined Assets	5,807	4,421
TOTAL ASSETS	212,254	207,558
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	5,358	4,612
Inventory	185,314	157,302
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	16,645	6,611
Other Combined Assets	10,204	8,436
TOTAL ASSETS	217,521	176,961
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	3,167	2,653
Inventory	182,983	194,234
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0
Other Combined Assets	8,187	7,759
TOTAL ASSETS	194,337	204,646
Corporate, Financial Services and Unallocated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0
Other Combined Assets	344,540	242,135
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 344,540	$ 242,135