Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs Valuation Adjustments and Write-offs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Total valuation adjustments and write-offs	$ 1,201	$ 697	$ 2,101	$ 823
Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	10	0	10
Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	558	462	810	462
Impairment of Land Held for Sale [Member]
Impairment of land held for sale	643	0	1,291	95
Option Deposits and Pre-Acquisition Write-Offs [Member]
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs	0	225	0	256
Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0	0	0
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	10	0	10
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	558	462	810	462
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Land Held for Sale [Member]
Impairment of land held for sale	643	0	1,291	95
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Option Deposits and Pre-Acquisition Write-Offs [Member]
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs	0	34	0	36
Midwest Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0	0	0
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	0	0	0
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	0	0	0	0
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Land Held for Sale [Member]
Impairment of land held for sale	0	0	0	0
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Option Deposits and Pre-Acquisition Write-Offs [Member]
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs	0	103	0	110
Southern Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0	0	0
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Operating Communities [Member]
Impairment of operating communities	0	0	0	0
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Future Communities [Member]
Impairment of future communities	0	0	0	0
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Land Held for Sale [Member]
Impairment of land held for sale	0	0	0	0
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Option Deposits and Pre-Acquisition Write-Offs [Member]
Option deposits and pre-acquisition costs write-offs	0	88	0	110
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member] | Impairment of Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs [Member]
Impairment of investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0