Business Segments Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 275,195	$ 208,875	$ 700,475	$ 510,994
Operating Income (Loss)	18,649	12,451	39,667	19,443
Interest	3,449	3,999	12,186	12,066
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures	(278)	0	(278)	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	1,726	0	1,726	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	13,752	8,452	26,033	7,377
Midwest Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	82,689	79,015	222,890	198,994
Operating Income (Loss)	5,114	3,940	11,696	9,012
Interest	1,023	1,243	3,852	4,181
Southern Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	96,275	50,828	216,181	123,400
Operating Income (Loss)	8,271	6,144	15,222	9,837
Interest	1,405	999	4,510	2,543
Mid-Atlantic Homebuilding [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Homebuilding revenue	89,550	72,649	239,061	172,977
Operating Income (Loss)	8,433	5,787	18,961	9,496
Interest	659	1,342	2,809	4,248
Financial Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial services revenue	6,681	6,383	22,343	15,623
Operating Income (Loss)	3,827	3,960	13,451	8,606
Interest	362	415	1,015	1,094
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ (6,996)	$ (7,380)	$ (19,663)	$ (17,508)