Business Segments Business Segments (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
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Of Valuation Adjustments And Write Offs	$ 1,201	$ 697	$ 2,101	$ 823
Revenue	234,553	170,994	425,280	302,119
Operating Income (Loss)	11,792	6,760	21,018	6,992
Interest	4,397	3,461	8,737	8,067
Income (loss) before income taxes	7,395	3,299	12,281	(1,075)
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Of Valuation Adjustments And Write Offs	1,201	506	2,101	603
Homebuilding revenue	79,498	63,026	140,201	119,979
Operating Income (Loss)	4,381	3,961	6,582	5,072
Interest	1,356	1,211	2,830	2,937
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Of Valuation Adjustments And Write Offs	0	103	0	110
Homebuilding revenue	68,946	43,499	119,906	72,572
Operating Income (Loss)	3,858	2,808	6,949	3,693
Interest	1,800	743	3,104	1,545
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Of Valuation Adjustments And Write Offs	0	88	0	110
Homebuilding revenue	78,857	59,545	149,511	100,328
Operating Income (Loss)	6,184	3,248	10,529	3,709
Interest	906	1,196	2,149	2,906
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	7,252	4,924	15,662	9,240
Operating Income (Loss)	4,169	2,210	9,625	4,646
Interest	335	311	654	679
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ (6,800)	$ (5,467)	$ (12,667)	$ (10,128)