Business Segments Business Segments - Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	$ 10,942	$ 8,727
Inventory	604,057	548,090
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	28,648	11,732
Other Combined Assets	274,619	262,751
TOTAL ASSETS	918,266	831,300
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	2,221	1,462
Inventory	213,387	196,554
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	5,614	5,121
Other Combined Assets	7,590	4,421
TOTAL ASSETS	228,812	207,558
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	5,226	4,612
Inventory	202,750	157,302
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	23,034	6,611
Other Combined Assets	13,327	8,436
TOTAL ASSETS	244,337	176,961
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Land purchase deposits	3,495	2,653
Inventory	187,920	194,234
Investments in Unconsolidated LLCs	0	0
Other Combined Assets	10,583	7,759
TOTAL ASSETS	201,998	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	243,119	242,135
TOTAL ASSETS	$ 243,119	$ 242,135